Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak has called for a public inquiry into the eHealth scandal. Sun columnist Christina Blizzard says it needs police investigation.
Yet Dalton McGuinty keeps telling us, Don’t worry, be happy. Daddy McGuinty knows best.
Lorrie Goldstein wonders if the whole EHR plan should be scrapped if it can’t be fixed, and Paulsstuff raises national concerns as well.
Meanwhile, Terence Corcoran suggests that the McGuinty regime is an excellent candidate for the title of Canada’s worst government. That sentiment seems to be backed up by a Sun report that the upcoming Ontario fiscal update could be grim.
Thoughts?
(And if anyone says this is John Tory’s fault, I’m going to spit nails.)
* * * *
Sunday Update:
George Smitherman Should Resign… – John Laforet
Dalton can’t sidestep eHealth – John Snobelen
Nothing’s certain, but this tax could spell McGuinty’s death – Randall Denley:
…McGuinty is in an unenviable position. He has a policy that is unpopular, impossible to sell and highly visible. Worse, it looks like his government is giving business a big break at the expense of ordinary people when times are the toughest they have been in years. McGuinty might find himself thinking of former PC leader John Tory, whose last words as he disappeared beneath the political waves were “but I had a good idea.”
And this is a must-read column by Angelo Persichilli in today’s Star (!) - McGuinty must light a fire under his party:
…The lottery fiasco and the eHealth horror stories raise direct questions about the competence of the government in spending our money.
Dealing with a global recession is hard, but not realizing that $1 billion is squandered in front of your eyes – and despite numerous warnings – is hard to swallow.
I don’t doubt the integrity of McGuinty and his team but the question of incompetence grows bigger…
Great podcast here with Lorrie Goldstein at Newstalk 570 as he discusses a column from last week about Green Energy with host Gary Doyle.
Failure of eHealth not an option – Citizen
Welcome Newsbeat 1 readers!
* * * *
Monday Update:
eHealth boondoggle makes sponsorship scandal look tiny – Tim Hudak
Ontario wind power plans face legal challenge – CBC
* * * *
Tuesday Update:
From SDA - We don’t need no stinking giant fans – The German experience:
The Institute for Energy Research summarizes the German think tank’s key findings;
* Financial aid to Germany’s solar industry has now reached a level that far exceeds average wages, with per worker subsidies as high as $240,000 US.
* In 2008, the price mark-up attributable to the government’s support for “green” electricity was about 2.2 cents US per kWh. For perspective, a 2.2 cent per kWh increase here in the US would amount to an average 19.4% increase in consumer’s electricity bills.
* Government support for solar energy between 2000 and 2010 is estimated to have a total net cost of $73.2 billion US, and $28.1 billion US for wind. A similar expenditure in the US would amount to about half a trillion dollars US.
* Green jobs created by government actions disappear as soon as government support is terminated, a lesson the German government and the green companies it supports are beginning to learn.
* Government aid for wind power is now three times the cost of conventional electricity.
Don’t allow yourselves to be sucked in!
Maybe not John Tory’s fault, but I bet it gets blamed on Mike Harris. Everything else did.
Two new leaders were elected today, Danielle Smith wins WRA leadership. This will cause steady eddy to become less steady. And the finance minister has won the NDP leadership in Manitoba. Isn’t there some scandal developing ther re Hydro or something. Finance Minister as Premier could be in some trouble.
the problem is Joanne that the McGuinty gov’t has been Canada’s Worst Government for a while. They’ve been caught out several times but the move to cast light and hold them to account doesn’t stick because the spinners and weavers of distraction in Dalton’s camp are good at their jobs.
I know that the PCs are pissed but the groundswell of like-minded seem muted. There’s just not the snowball of anger that their should be in my opinion.
Where are the glut of letters to the editors of papers?
Where are the media….ALL MEDIA relentlessly dogging Dalton and his gov’t for answers?
I’m just not seeing it.
However, someone did raise a point with me today and suggested that Harper’s benefitting more from the Ontario Liberal’s screw-ups than the Ontario PCs are. Interesting point.
In the 1950s, various Gyro Gearloose types claimed to invent a carburator giving 60 MPG, or an engine running on diesel and water mixture. The story usually claimed that the Detroit car makers bought the inventors out. Not many people actually believed the stories.
Today in Ont., we have a premiere who is a believer. The GreenEnergy Act accepts the claims of Suzuki, Gore etc. without question. It purports to meet future electricity requirements with mirroirs and giant windmills. The Act tolerates no opposition, local councils and planning bodies are subject to Central Planning from Queens Park. Cost-benefit annalysis, health studies, current experience of existing problems, all are to be ignored. The Government knows best, the GreenEnergy Act must prevail to “save” the environment. This is the most doctrinaire government in N. America.
Stelmach is worse. The Alberta deficit is 50% greater per capital than the Ontario one.
the GreenEnergy Act must prevail to “save” the environment.
Indeed. When do the ‘people’ get saved?
the GreenEnergy Act must prevail to “save” the environment.
Nice to see the ‘anti human humans’ are at it again. Yawn.
Phil, I was just going to ask who is the worst Premier, when I see that the Iceman has come up with a poll.
McGuinty is a disaster. He has subjected us to a steady stream of new taxes and fees; no premier in history has done more to undermine what little private property rights we had in this province; he’s been the consummate Nanny tyrant; and now the Green Act that is going to drive up electricity prices for the sole purpose of subsidizing the green industry in order to fight a nonexistent problem. And since McGuinty is in the pocket of the unions, you can be sure that they’ll get nice fat cost of living raises that the rest of us will have to pay for.
I don’t envy Tim Hudak. If he becomes premier he’ll have quite the mess to clean up. If McGuinty wins again in 2011 Ontario will become a have-not province and will remain one for a long time.
Our own local dude, Tim Hudak, will be the next Premier of Ontario. McFlinty has so many strikes against him, it’s a foregone conclusion that he will be OUT next provincial election. Every time I recall his very unpopular tax-grab known as Ontario’s “Health Premium”, that toll-booth at the end of everyone’s income-tax return, I know he should be toast. Now with the hospital closings and everything else going on in the scandalous sector of Health Care, it’s the turn of this Ontario Liebral Gov’t to take the heat, and they can’t blame it on Mike Harris.
Joanne, I’m not sure if anybody has told you about this yet: http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/obama-and-harper-a-tale-of-two-leaders/2/
A great piece, giving Harper credit for being an outstanding leader.
What does it take for the people of Ontario to wake up..We are talking here of at least 1 billion dollars squandered or diverted to Liberal friendly firms..That’s 1 billion dollars of OUR MONEY folks for an ehealth project that is non existent.On radio station CFRA Ottawa,Dr.Dworkin spoke of a system developed[if I am not mistaken]by a London physician which delivers the ehealth essentials FOR FREE. Other provinces already have an ehealth system equivalent..why couldn’t the bureaucrats pick up the phone and find out instead of hiring Liberal consultants?This is GRAND THEFT folks…stealing the hopes and lives of the sick and needy..Just imagine what the Heath system could do with a billion dollars.Shame on you McGuinty and shame on all your liberal cronies that took one unearned dollar from our pockets….and what your answer to this latest fiasco..”Don’t worry folks, we’re on top of it”..yeah…right….Fire them all
“Live Streaming links for Climate Movie: Not Evil, Just Wrong
18 10 2009
Stream of Conscience: Not Evil Just Wrong to Stream Live, for Free, Over Internet This Sunday. Here’s the trailer video:
[...]
In this movie, you’ll see Dr. James Hansen refuse to say Steve McIntyre’s name, among other things.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Fewer than 50 hours from the 8 pm EDT Sunday launch of Not Evil Just Wrong — set to be the world’s largest simultaneous film premiere party in history — the documentary’s co-creators today announced options for people across the globe to watch it FREE over the internet. Live links follow:
Relevant links and information are included below.
What: World premiere of Not Evil Just Wrong
When: Sunday, 8:00 PM EDT; panel discussion with Andrew Breitbart, John Fund, Prof. Richard Lindzen, and Prof. Don Roberts Emeritus to immediately follow.
Where: One of hundreds of premiere sites across the country (and thousands around the world)
Live Streams:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/not-evil-just-wrong
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com
http://action.afa.net
To Participate:
– Twitter: http://twitter.com/Not_Evil
– Facebook: http://facebook.com/noteviljustwrong/
– YouTube (just send us a message with your attached video):
http://youtube.com/noteviljustwrong
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/10/18/live-streaming-links-for-climate-movie-not-evil-just-wrong/#comments
Of course Smitherman should resign,that’s if he has any scruples. Shame on him for not taking responsibility, standing smug while Caplan takes the fall.
The most dumbfounding in all this is the fact a McGuinty candidate can win a bi-election. Of course it was in the brain free voting zone, Toronto, it appears they are not affected by, or are oblivious to scandals and health care in a shambles. McGuinty is counting on that brain free voting pattern in Toronto to continue while we all pay the price.
See John Snobelen’s column in today’s Toronto Sun!
He’s bang-on in his commments.
It kinda makes you wonder just what goes on in a Liberals head when he/she thinks that pouring money into the bottomless hole called consultants, won’t get found out.
I’m not sure where this is going to stop, but rest assured this will not be the only case in McSlippery’s house.
I’ll bet you a coffe Joanne, that at least 3 more scams like this are reveiled in the next 2 months.
Gore Report: Endorsed by MayIffyDionky, etc., and McIffyMcGuinty.
Caught in the Green Act by Associated Press.
“they … had even sworn off toilet paper.”
The Red-Green Cult.
…-
“After simplifying for Earth’s sake, a family tries to find middle ground
NEW YORK — Colin Beavan sat under the light of a single bulb, freaking out.”
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Features/2009/10/16/11427406-ap.html
Re Squiggy at 6:11am comment on Dr. Dworkin and software re eHealth.
Dr. Dworkins Sunday House Call at 3pm Eastern today will have as phone guest Dr.David Chan the creator (in whole or in part) of OSCAR a “free” software to basically do what is supposed to be achieved. As I understand it, the software can be modified by software developers as it is “open source” and beyond this, one pays for the annual maintenance costs which are peanuts compared to what the taxpayer paid for nothing.
Listen in at http://www.cfra.com for more info.
Just found this on the Web
http://oscarservice.com/
Incredible? No.
The Big Lies from the liberal-left Canadian socialists.
The Canadian MSM is a socialist propaganda machine.
…-
Two of The Big Lies:
Exhibit 1.
“What’s your health -care premium?” they wanted to know. They quoted theirs as being a couple thousand dollars a month.
>>> Their jaws dropped when I told them there really isn’t one and everyone is covered from birth.”
Exhibit 2.
>>> “The cost?
Thirty-five dollars, because the sling I went home in wasn’t covered.”
…-
“Poster boy for Canadian health system
‘What about the death committees,’ they asked
By STEPHEN LAUTENS”
http://www.calgarysun.com/comment/columnists/stephen_lautens/2009/10/18/11439881-sun.html
Most frustrating is the lack of curiosity by most MSM. $1000 million wasted on eHealth and they yawn, “what’s the big deal”
All their energy is devoted to miscues by PMSH. But 1 Billion in the Ont. economy is an enormous scandal, and still only one minister resigns. The draconian clauses in the Green Energy Act brought almost zero comment from the press. I have read the act, and when I mention the section on the “appliance police”, people think I made it up. I wish I had.
When will all those idiots trying to reduce their footprints by living in the 1700 century realize that just cause they don’t use the elevator, someone else is. I think all they did with this experience was reduce their utility bills, and possibly lose some weight climbing stairs.
Reminds me of when our hospital closed some beds to save costs. Nurses were still on duty and all the utilities were used, and these rooms were turned into storage rooms. Costs were increased as patients now had to be transported by ambulance to a city hospital miles away. But, the head honcho of the health district got a bonus for cutting costs.
And all the equipment in those rooms, beds, tvs, etc, which had been purchased by local groups and donations, was removed, with no repayment, was sent to other hospitals in the region.
Before we go criticizing the Liberals for their gluttonous use of consultants we need to be reminded that all governments rely on consultants. The Harris Tories did, as did the NDP when they were in power.
It’s not the use of consultants that should be the question or the criticism here.
It’s that there was a clear lack of standards set by the Premier’s office that were understood by his Ministers and funneled on down to the bureaucrats.
We also should not be satisfied with just shining a light on the health ministry either.
Each and every school board in this province needs to have a forensic audit done by an independent auditor. The number of consultants, I believe will compare to the e-health issue.
The next time folks here from Ontario drive by a school, take a look at those large signs that your taxdollars purchased that are mounted to the school, or those billboard-type boards that the Minister thought all schools needed. Ask yourself how much those cost times the number of schools in the province and in my books that’s wasted money.
Furthermore, I resent that this government is resorting to having to pay parents with their own tax money to be “engaged” with their schools when schools are struggling to stay open.
Gee, do you get that eerie feeling that your governments and their employees are just ripping you off? I do. Why would you still “shop” there? Fire them all. Both sides of the isle and dump their Ponzi scheme pension plans, too.
Just read that Toronto won the World Pride Festival in 2014, to take place in conjunction with Pride Week. Wonder if they will get any federal funding for this.
Bravo, Debbie Jodoin.
More, please.
“Debbie Jodoin co-organized a rally which drew about 50 people to Parliament Hill on Saturday that called for Premier Dalton McGuinty’s resignation over his handling of the eHealth scandal.
McGuinty ‘is the Teflon premier — nobody is holding him accountable,’ Jodoin told the crowd.”
Includes pic of Deddie Jodoin.
For more on the rally, go to ottawacitizen.com
The above quote prefaces the following from the left-liberal MSM which has brought out its “experts” to warn IffyMcGiffy.
The left-liberals are suffering from McGuinty withdrawal.
…-
“Failure of eHealth not an option
Experts warn government of dire effects if effective system is not created”
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Failure+eHealth+option/2116442/story.html
Richco, I am not allowing your latest comment. I think it could be phrased in a less confrontational manner.
Angelo Persichilli: “I don’t doubt the integrity of McGuinty and his team but the question of incompetence grows bigger…”
The two parts of that sentence don’t logically go together: I’m not quite sure how McGuilty’s integrity can’t be in doubt when the question of McGuilty’s party’s incompetence “grows bigger. ”
I’m certainly in no doubt that the integrity of Dalton McGuinty and his party are in the basement as the incompetence of he and his party becomes increasingly evident.
I can’t think of anything more dishonest or contemptible than the MSM’s obsession with the Conservative Logo on the fake cheques, and their seemingly soft selling of the E-health scandle.
However Tim Hudaks article in the Sun may keep pressure on this horror. It’s particularly galling that we have hospitals & emergency rooms shutting down when this abuse of Ontario residents is taking place.
As Ezra say’s, fire them all.
“I am not allowing your latest comment. I think it could be phrased in a less confrontational manner.”
Ok.
I’d like to know what Mary T. means by her post 2:32pm yesterday “Just read that Toronto won the World Pride Festival in 2014, to take place in Pride Week. Wonder if they will get federal funding for this.”
It’s a post that has nothing to do with yours Joanne. The question of why she posted it is a fair one if she’s required to account for her words here.
Richco, what I meant is that a report on cbc news made mention of the awarding of the world gay festival for 2014 was won by Toronto. It will be held in conjunction with the TO gay pride week.
When O won the Peace Prize, it was posted, and when Chicago lost the olympics it was posted.
With the fallout re the funding of the past gay pride week, I wondered if the government would fund this festival.
Hope this answers your question.
Sorry for the problem Joanne.
The Ottawa Citizen reported recently on a massive GreenEnergy development at Arnprior, $100 Million paid to a French firm to construct a solar electrical plant. 1 billion here, 100 million there, soon we are talking real sums. To pay for some of these projects, Ont. will introduce the HST sales tax next Jul. Taxes on all sorts of services, including electrical bills will increase significantly. Other province were able to lower the provincial tax when they signed on to HST. Because of Ont’s deficit, McGuinty will be unable to lower the 8% Ont. sales tax. Consumers will be left holding the bag.
From cfra.com
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday House Call – Dr. David Chan
The Ontario Government’s electronic medical record fiasco spent a billion dollars with little to show for it. At McMaster University, physicians and programmers have developed a comprehensive, secure, web-based and open source electronic health records system that is ready to be rolled out across Canada.
There are several major differences in the way the system was developed. While the government used a top down approach with consultants who do not actually treat patients, the team at McMaster used a ground-up approach based on clinical need and patient-encounter experience.
The McMaster EMR, Oscar, is an open-source program that is continually upgraded through direct clinical use. Physicians, who have programming experience or programmers hired by the clinical staff develop modifications that are submitted to McMaster for quality control and added to the program.
What does this mean for the patient? What can it do for them to assist them in being proactive in their health care management?
Oh yes, one more thing. The McMaster EMR is FREE!
· Dr. David H Chan, MD, CCFP, MSc, FCFP, Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University and a family physician at the Stonechurch Family Health Centre and the developer of OSCAR
Part 1
http://www.cfra.com/chum_audio/Dr.Chan%20Oct.18.09%20Pt%201.mp3
Part 2
http://www.cfra.com/chum_audio/Dr.Chan%20Oct.18.09%20Pt%202.mp3
[...] this after the eHealth scandal and other mismanagement. It’s enough to make you sick, but you can’t afford [...]