Friday, June 20, 2008
For the Attention of
Hospital CEOs, Board Chairs, OHA Board of Directors and CACN Members
Tom Closson
President and CEO
Premier McGuinty Shuffles Cabinet Minister David Caplan Takes Over Health Portfolio
Today, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced a shuffle of his Cabinet that will see former Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman, take over a new energy and infrastructure “super-ministry,” and former Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, David Caplan, take on the health and long-term care portfolio, effective immediately.
In his role as Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, David Caplan was no stranger to health care, working closely with a number of Ontario hospitals as part of ReNew Ontario – a $30 billion capital renewal strategy. For hospitals, this strategy has meant a $5 billion injection of much-needed capital renewal funding over five years, and the introduction of a new model of capital financing known as Alternate Financing and Procurement (AFP). Minister Caplan has also produced two important discussion papers on infrastructure renewal and health care capital needs.
Appointed Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal in 2003, Minister Caplan also had responsibility for managing government assets including the Ontario Realty corporation, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming corporation, and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. First elected as an MPP in a 1997 Don Valley East by-election, Minister Caplan has also served as Deputy Government House Leader. In Opposition, he served as the critic for Municipal Affairs and Housing, and acted as the Deputy House Whip for the Liberal caucus.
Given hospitals’ ongoing work with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) looks forward to continuing to build a strong relationship with Minister Caplan and his senior officials in the time to come. His experience and knowledge of health care issues will help to provide a smooth transition to the new portfolio and contribute to a greater understanding of hospital challenges and opportunities.
I think I speak on behalf of many when I say that I wish Minister Smitherman the best his new role, and thank him for his strong leadership and significant contributions to the improvement of our province’s health care system. His five years as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care – which also made him the longest-serving Ontario Minister of Health in the last quarter century – included a number of successes, such as his work to provide multi-year funding to hospitals, reduce wait times for priority procedures, and enhance access to doctors and nurses in Ontario hospitals. With Minister Smitherman’s new portfolio including hospital capital renewal projects, the OHA looks forward to continue working with him in his new capacity.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Chris McPherson, OHA Director of Public Affairs and Member Communications at 416-205-1305.