Common Ground | Terrain commun A Culture of Health

A separate minister would better be able to focus on these pivotal issues and help finish implementation of the Health Ministry's Open Minds, Healthy Minds long term strategy.

A link to the ministry strategy: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ministry/publications/reports/mental_health2011/mentalhealth.aspx

The current mental health system is really a mental "illness" system. Access especially by the most vulnerable citizens is not possible until one is severely mentally ill. We must re-orient the system so that a "continuum" of mental health services is available beginning at the earliest point through to acute care phase of illness.

Ontarians with lung disease and their families need access to education and rehab to help manage their disease. Bill 71 is a step in the right direction, but there hasn’t been any new action on it since 2016. Please give this important piece of legislation the attention necessary to allow educators the resources needed to make a real difference to the many people living with COPD, asthma and other lung disease.

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development should be given a mandate to implement measures which are designed to promote the education of more Aboriginal Health Care Professionals in addition to reducing the influence of the unique cultural, financial, and geographical barriers faced by prospective Aboriginal Health Care Professionals.

Steps need to be taken to ensure that our long-term care institutions are properly regulated and inspected. The recent murders of seven patents in a nursing home in Woodstock should be a call to action by the Province to adequately and rigorously fund ongoing inspections of these types of facilities. Our seniors deserve better care and attention.

Mental health services are chronically underfunded - many people with mental health care needs are NOT able to access services unless they can afford to pay high fees in the private sector. Early recognition, access to treatment, and supports for people before their concerns become crises (or mental health concerns escalate) are necessary to support a healthy Ontario.

Make the cost of fitness memberships tax deductible for persons who have fitness memberships and use them. This saves the health care system many dollars as research shows active persons are healthier people.

As our urban areas are increasingly made up of large condo towers, former industrial areas have now become primarily residential. As a result we have new residential neighbourhoods where the speed limit is too high (50 or 60 km/h) which is unsafe and unsuitable for pedestrians and cyclists. The maximum should be no more than 40km/h.