OPP called over health bill leak, public sector staffer gone
Antonella Artuso
Published:
February 4, 2019
Updated:
February 4, 2019 5:52 PM EST
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath releases more confidential government health-care documents on Monday, February 4 2019, saying she doesn't believe whistleblowers should be threatened with OPP investigation. (Antonella Artuso/Toronto Sun)
The public servant believed to have leaked draft health-care legislation to the NDP is no longer employed, a memo to the Ontario Public Service says.
“As many of you may be aware, there have been media reports regarding the unauthorized disclosure of confidential government documents,” Stephen Davidson, Interim Secretary of the Cabinet, wrote. “I am writing to confirm that as a result of our investigation into this matter, the employee responsible for this breach is no longer employed in the Ontario Public Service.
“The Ontario Provincial Police have also been notified.”
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, whose party released additional confidential health-care documents to the media Monday, said she would provide no information about the source of the material and criticized the Doug Ford government for going after a “whistleblower.”
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The documents show that the Ford government is poised to privatize sections of the health-care system, including possibly public sector labs and air ambulance, the NDP says.
Claims that these are draft documents are false, she added.
Health Minister Christine Elliott accused Horwath of releasing inaccurate information to the public, stating that the documents were not final and her government will not privatize those services.
In his memo to the Ontario Public Service, Davidson emphasized that bureaucrats are required to protect the confidentiality of information that comes into their possession unless authorized to release it.
“A breach of this oath can have serious consequences, not only for the individual involved, but for the many thousands of public servants who I know faithfully discharge their duties every day,” he said. “I have every confidence in the professionalism of the Ontario Public Service as we work to support the government in the delivery of its agenda.”
aartuso@postmedia.com
http://torontosun.com/news/provincial/ndp-claims-more-documents-on-pcs-health-super-agency-plan
Antonella Artuso
Published:
February 4, 2019
Updated:
February 4, 2019 5:52 PM EST
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath releases more confidential government health-care documents on Monday, February 4 2019, saying she doesn't believe whistleblowers should be threatened with OPP investigation. (Antonella Artuso/Toronto Sun)
The public servant believed to have leaked draft health-care legislation to the NDP is no longer employed, a memo to the Ontario Public Service says.
“As many of you may be aware, there have been media reports regarding the unauthorized disclosure of confidential government documents,” Stephen Davidson, Interim Secretary of the Cabinet, wrote. “I am writing to confirm that as a result of our investigation into this matter, the employee responsible for this breach is no longer employed in the Ontario Public Service.
“The Ontario Provincial Police have also been notified.”
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, whose party released additional confidential health-care documents to the media Monday, said she would provide no information about the source of the material and criticized the Doug Ford government for going after a “whistleblower.”
LILLEY: Minister wants to transform health care, just not too much
LILLEY: Stop being scared of private health
EDITORIAL: Ontario health care needs major surgery
The documents show that the Ford government is poised to privatize sections of the health-care system, including possibly public sector labs and air ambulance, the NDP says.
Claims that these are draft documents are false, she added.
Health Minister Christine Elliott accused Horwath of releasing inaccurate information to the public, stating that the documents were not final and her government will not privatize those services.
In his memo to the Ontario Public Service, Davidson emphasized that bureaucrats are required to protect the confidentiality of information that comes into their possession unless authorized to release it.
“A breach of this oath can have serious consequences, not only for the individual involved, but for the many thousands of public servants who I know faithfully discharge their duties every day,” he said. “I have every confidence in the professionalism of the Ontario Public Service as we work to support the government in the delivery of its agenda.”
aartuso@postmedia.com
http://torontosun.com/news/provincial/ndp-claims-more-documents-on-pcs-health-super-agency-plan