For Immediate Release

Thursday, November 12, 2009

NEWS

Today, Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod announced the Ontario PC Caucus’ intention to introduce the eHealth Ontario Spending Accountability Act, 2009, in the Ontario legislature next week.  This Bill will be introduced by Ted Chudleigh, MPP (Halton), and calls for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to order a public inquiry to answer questions about the eHealth Scandal.

Ontario’s Auditor General has testified before a Legislative Committee that he was unable to probe many of the most important questions in the eHealth scandal, including the names and Liberal affiliations of key eHealth Scandal figures.

Back in September, MacLeod fought for a probe of the troubled eHealth in the Committee on Government Agencies, which acts as a legislative watchdog committee. However, the Liberals who dominated the watchdog committee unanimously rejected to bring in the agency for review without any explanation.

George Smitherman has resigned this week to avoid answering any more questions about his role in the scandal.  The Premier has shied away from talking about the eHealth scandal.

A public inquiry is the only way for taxpayers to learn who got rich off their money, how they are connected to the McGuinty Liberals and who ordered a government official to block the Auditor’s investigation.

QUOTES

“This Bill is for the people of Ontario. The PC Caucus recognizes that the money is not McGuinty’s, it is the money of our constituents who deserve to have it spent wisely and effectively. It was Ontarians’ hard earned money that was wasted and they deserve to have a complete examination into how it was spent and a comprehensive set of recommendations to ensure such irresponsible waste is prevented in the future.”

--- MPP Lisa MacLeod, PC Revenue Critic (Nepean-Carleton)

“It does not matter what office George Smitherman holds, what office he used to hold or what office he hopes to hold.  George Smitherman and Dalton McGuinty remain the architects of a billion dollar scandal and the people of Ontario deserve a public inquiry to hear the truth about how their money was spent.”

--- MPP Lisa MacLeod, PC Revenue Critic (Nepean-Carleton)

“Every single MPP owes it to their constituents to stand up and vote on this bill.  Do they support the public’s right to know the truth or do they support a continued cover-up?”

--- MPP Lisa MacLeod, PC Revenue Critic (Nepean-Carleton)

QUICK FACTS

• The Auditor General’s Report suggested that there may have been deliberate collusion and bid-rigging at eHealth.  This is potentially criminal behaviour and a public inquiry can examine the details of the bidding process.

• The Auditor General’s Report highlighted how the Management Board of Cabinet played a role in waiving the rules for untendered contracts.  Members of the Cabinet have admitted that the Management Board approved awarding untendered contracts.   A Public Inquiry can fully investigate how extensively members of the Management Board were involved in the eHealth Scandal.

• The Auditor General reported instances of overt obstruction by officials in the McGuinty government.  This represents a potential abuse of power that should be part of an independent inquiry into the eHealth scandal.

• The Auditor General’s probe lacked the mandate and resources to complete a full examination of the eHealth scandal.  A public inquiry can use the work previously completed and address the remaining questions which remain unanswered.

• MPP Lisa MacLeod has asked questions in the Legislature on the eHealth Scandal and can be viewed by clicking:
  • http://tinyurl.com/yjrnhsy
  • http://tinyurl.com/ykh4uue
  • http://tinyurl.com/yzrx42x

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