April 2009 - Our Voice in Action

Job One: Expanding Our Toolbox

At the most recent meeting of the Board of Directors (March 27-28, 2009), OPHA took a major step towards broadening the strategies and tactics of its advocacy efforts. A consultant in government relations, Garth Bobb of Connect Consulting, delivered a presentation to the Board outlining tips and techniques for engaging political stakeholders from all political parties, as well as government politicians, and the bureaucracy. Mr. Bobb explained how to identify values, needs, and positions, and how to appeal to each of these elements in a political equation to influence change in a desired direction. This presentation laid the foundation for building a broader base of relationships and enhances our capacity to engage decision-makers in face-to-face discussions.

 

Toxic Use Reduction Strategy

Now that OPHA’s support of the Toxic Use Reduction Strategy has resulted in impending legislation (Bill 167), OPHA remains committed to ensuring that the resulting legislation effectively achieves the desired goals — protecting the health and well-being of the population. In collaboration with our partners, OPHA is continuing to work towards ensuring that significant deficiencies in the legislation are remedied before the bill becomes law. Specifically the regulation should address the following five Rs:

  • Reduce the release of toxic chemicals in places where people live, work and play by 50 percent within five years in Ontario to protect public health.
  • Replace toxic chemicals where safer alternatives exist.
  • Restrict the use of toxic chemicals that are still in use through guidance from an Ontario Toxic Use Reduction Institute (OTURI).
  • Report annually on progress, and monitor emissions, holding industry accountable to reduce their use of toxic substances through the development and enforcement of new regulations.
  • Reveal to all Ontarians the toxic chemicals in their workplaces, communities, and homes through an identifiable product label or symbol, and access to a public database.

The proposed Toxics Reduction Act is posted on the Environmental Registry for public comment until May 7, 2009. It can be found at www.ebr.gov.on.ca (Registry # 010-6224).

 

Discretionary Fortification of Foods

OPHA is supporting the Dietitians of Canada's position against the discretionary fortification of foods. Details of the DC’s position are itemized and articulated in a document titled, Discretionary Fortification of Foods with Vitamins/Minerals Key Discussion Points. Dietitians of Canada supports food fortification based on documented public health need. For further information contact the Director of Public Affairs, Linda Corby at lcorby [at] dietitians.ca.

 

Poverty Reduction Strategy

OPHA’s continued support for the government’s poverty reduction strategy has been articulated in the most recent edition of the Joint alPHa Working Group on Social Determinants of Health newsletter, available for download on the OPHA website. Disappointed as we are about the lack of movement on key poverty issues in the recent budget, OPHA is optimistic that some progress can be made on important long-term issues.

 

Bill 156: Healthy Decisions for Healthy Eating

The OPHA Food Security Workgroup, chaired by Tracy Woloshyn, took the initiative in supporting a private members bill from NDP Health and Long-Term Care Critic France Gélinas, which passed second reading recently. Strengthening the arguments articulated in a letter from the OSNPPH, one of our 11 Constituent Societies, OPHA has written letters to the leaders of all provincial parties articulating our support for the bill and urging an all-party collaboration on this significant public health issue.

Next steps in the legislative process? A subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Social Policy will determine whether, when, and how the Standing Committee on Social Policy will begin its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 156. The four members of this sub-committee (and their current positions) are as follows:

  • Shafiq Qaadri LIB / Etobicoke North (YAY);
  • Laurel Broten LIB / Etobicoke--Lakeshore (YAY);
  • Cheri DiNovo NDP / Parkdale--High Park (YAY);
  • Elizabeth Witmer PC / Kitchener--Waterloo (NAY).

Private members bills are very rarely passed in legislation. This bill has made it thus far by a very slim margin. Your efforts to influence this sub-committee and other members of the Standing Committee on Social Policy will help us to continue making a difference.

For more information on this issue see the article in this month’s Hot Topic column.

 

Gun Registry Legislation

OPHA has expressed its opposition to a private members bill (C-130) recently introduced in the House of Commons seeking to implement measures that weaken the existing Firearms Act. OPHA’s position is that Canadians have achieved a significant measure of consensus on the kind of society they wish to create with respect to the use and control of guns. Evidence for this resides in the passage of the existing Firearms Act, and is reaffirmed by the unanimous support of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Since the Gun Registry was implemented, the number of deaths from firearms has declined: Canada is safer now than before. In 2003, there were 300 fewer firearm deaths than in 1995. Homicides are down from 271 in 1991, to 190 in 2006. Murder of women by guns have decreased by two-thirds. Murder of women by other means have fallen only slightly. License screening has prevented 7,000 potentially dangerous people from owning guns. Police access the registry to support investigations. From a strictly statistical point of view the law is clearly working.

Recent press indicates that this private members bill is unlikely to pass.