Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli will not discuss the controversy surrounding the Ontario Union of Family Physicians and the Health Ministry.
Last week the Ontario Union of Family Physicians (OUFP) launched a petition calling for the immediate resignation of Health Minister Sylvia Jones following her recent comments that “there is no concern of a diminished supply of physicians” and that “retention and recruitment is not a major concern.”
The comments come as the OMA, which represents Ontario's doctors, has repeatedly warned that more than two million residents don't have a family doctor and thousands of physician jobs are going unfilled.
See related: There is no concern about a 'diminished supply' of doctors in Ontario: ministry
See related: Doctors start petition to fire Health Minister Jones
The province is in the midst of negotiations with the OMA for the next Physician Services Agreement, which determines how doctors are compensated, covering the next four years.
"So the real issue is they are in the middle of negotiations right now so it is improper for either side to speak about what is happening," Fedeli stated during a Northern Ontario Heritage Funding announcement on Friday in North Bay.
"Obviously one side is escalating their negotiations and that is unfortunate so I am not prepared to break the rules of not commenting during a negotiation. It is unfortunate that the other side does."
Late last week, the OMA proposed a five per cent general price increase for the year, a 10.2 per cent "catch up" to account for inflation and "low price increases" since 2012, as well as 7.7 per cent to be directed to various health system programs.
In comparison to the 15.2 per cent in direct increases the OMA is proposing, the Ministry of Health is proposing three per cent.
