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Public Health Ontario is under the political control of the government because of hazy, purposely vague legislation. Which is not well known outside PHO circles = why I was so disappointed the Ontario NDP didn't consult with me before preparing their Public Health reform bill. https://twitter.com/tim4hire/status/1326952035154087938
So it wouldn't be fair to pin any blame on PHO officials.
They have never once since Dr. Donnelly resigned spoken in support or put their name down approving any govt plan.
They would have been pressured by the govt to do so.
They said NO hoping their silence would be noticed.
They have never once since Dr. Donnelly resigned spoken in support or put their name down approving any govt plan.
They would have been pressured by the govt to do so.
They said NO hoping their silence would be noticed.
That was the most they could do because of the prevailing legal and legislative opinion on PHO independence vs the govt.
I know because we struggled with this very issue when we were in conflict with Minister Hoskins and he was muzzling us.
I know because we struggled with this very issue when we were in conflict with Minister Hoskins and he was muzzling us.
I consulted PHO's in house legal counsel who explained it to me.
I was trying to build a case to argue to PHO leadership for us to defy Eric Hoskins' (Minister of Health at the time) gag orders and political controls on our communications.
I was trying to build a case to argue to PHO leadership for us to defy Eric Hoskins' (Minister of Health at the time) gag orders and political controls on our communications.
Our legal counsel explained we could *try* to refuse the gag orders.
But it would be a gamble.
The prevailing cautious opinion inside PHO - and some academic experts familiar with the SARS Report and the legislation - was that we had to fall into line when push comes to shove.
But it would be a gamble.
The prevailing cautious opinion inside PHO - and some academic experts familiar with the SARS Report and the legislation - was that we had to fall into line when push comes to shove.
However, PHO legal counsel also told me that because the govt's gag power over PHO had never really been tested and proven, it was ultimately uncertain whether any govt actually does have this power.
It's imagined and assumed until challenged.
It's imagined and assumed until challenged.
Dr. Deeks thew down the gauntlet today.
*It's the first time PHO's independence to speak freely has been asserted.*
Dr. Deeks was probably sick and tired of the Premier making the public think that PHO was on board.
*It's the first time PHO's independence to speak freely has been asserted.*
Dr. Deeks was probably sick and tired of the Premier making the public think that PHO was on board.
AND it must have been VERY frustrating for Dr. Deeks to see, over and over again...
The news media *and even some of her misinformed medical colleagues* outside PHO equate Dr. Williams with Public Health Ontario!
As if the CMOH speaks for PHO. As if they were one and the same.
The news media *and even some of her misinformed medical colleagues* outside PHO equate Dr. Williams with Public Health Ontario!
As if the CMOH speaks for PHO. As if they were one and the same.
The news media and even some medical and science experts on TV forgot PHO existed, or didn't understand how the public health system works provincially.
So with every awful decision recommended or supported by Dr. Williams,
PHO was guilty.
People didn't bother to learn.
So with every awful decision recommended or supported by Dr. Williams,
PHO was guilty.
People didn't bother to learn.
People didn't bother to check their assumptions.
I'll repeat it again because the premier reverted to the same lie today to confuse people.
*BY THE WAY, it is beyond contemptible Dr. Williams has never tried to correct it. He was fine with the public believing something false.*
I'll repeat it again because the premier reverted to the same lie today to confuse people.
*BY THE WAY, it is beyond contemptible Dr. Williams has never tried to correct it. He was fine with the public believing something false.*
Repeat:
THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH (CMOH) OF ONTARIO IS **NOT** "PUBLIC HEALTH".
"PUBLIC HEALTH" AT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL IS "PUBLIC HEALTH ONTARIO".
THE CMOH CAN REJECT PHO SCIENTIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS AT WILL. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO TELL US HE DID OR EXPLAIN WHY.
THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH (CMOH) OF ONTARIO IS **NOT** "PUBLIC HEALTH". "PUBLIC HEALTH" AT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL IS "PUBLIC HEALTH ONTARIO". THE CMOH CAN REJECT PHO SCIENTIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS AT WILL. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO TELL US HE DID OR EXPLAIN WHY.
PHO WAS GAGGED FROM TELLING US EACH TIME THE CMOH AND THE PREMIER REJECTED THEIR ADVICE OPERATING UNDER A NEVER FORMALLY CHALLENGED ASSUMPTION THAT THE GOVT'S GAG POWER IS REAL AND LEGITIMATE.
THE CMOH IS A MINISTRY OF HEALTH EMPLOYEE = THE CMOH *IS* LITERALLY THE GOVT ESPECIALLY UNDER A COMPLIANT SPINELESS POWER PLEASER WHICH WAS NEVER REALLY CONSIDERED AS A DANGER OR POSSIBILITY WHEN THIS SYSTEM WAS CREATED.
UNLESS A PUBLIC HEALTH ONTARIO EMPLOYEE SPEAKS IN SUPPORT OF A PLAN, OR PHO PUTS THEIR NAME ON IT, IT IS NOT THEIR PLAN OR RECOMMENDATION.BEING PRESENT IN THE ROOM AT A TABLE IS NOT ENDORSEMENT.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
(Fin)
(Fin)
I dedicate this thread to the memory of Doctor Don Low.
The original resister of political interfearence at Public Health.
#TeamDonLow
The original resister of political interfearence at Public Health.
#TeamDonLow
