The province’s opposition parties are raising concerns about the legislation to amalgamate the health authorities, which they say is being rushed through the House of Assembly.

The province announced the details of the long-awaited legislation yesterday.

PC Leader Barry Petten notes that they only had a technical briefing on the legislation Tuesday, and it’s a lot to digest especially given that it will essentially change the way health care is delivered in the province.

He says there’s a lot more to it than what they thought, so they want time to properly look at it so they can ask the right questions.

NDP leader Jim Dinn would like to see the legislation brought back to the social services committee and have it brought to the public for feedback. That, Dinn says, would make for better legislation.

He says the structure that’s chosen will impact the province for generations, and it is important to get it right.

Privacy Commissioner Says Bill 20 Violates ATIPPA Legislation

Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey has notified Health Minister Tom Osborne of his concern that the introduction of Bill 20, new legislation that outlines the integration of the province’s four regional health authorities into one—has violated a section of ATIPPA Legislation.

Harvey also notified the House Leaders of the three provincial parties and Independent members Eddie Joyce and Paul Lane that introduction of the new legislation in the House has violated section 112(1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

VOCM News acquired a copy of Harvey’s letter issued to the House Leaders yesterday.

Both the PCs and NDP have expressed concern that the legislation is being pushed through the legislature without time for adequate review.

Harvey says no meaningful consultation occurred prior to notice being given to introducing the Bill in the House, and that it contains implications for the protection of privacy. Harvey says as such, a copy of the Bill was never forwarded to his office, despite his requests.

He says the only consultation that did occur was “a brief, high-level verbal overview, which happened well after notice of the Bill was given to the House.”

Harvey has three areas of concern based on his limited opportunity to review the legislation.

They include the terms “learning health system” and “social determinants of health” what they mean, how those phrases are used, and their implications. He also has questions about the roles, governance and appointment of the regional health councils and the quality council

Harvey says rushing the process at what he calls the “last, most crucial stage” runs the risk of “taking good intentions and implementing them in such a way that could cause unnecessary harm to the public.”