Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario)
Encyclopedia
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is the Government of Ontario
ministry responsible for administering the health care system
and providing services to the province of Ontario
. The current minister is Deb Matthews
.
Insured hospital services and insured physicians' services, introduced in 1959 and 1966 respectively, were combined under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in 1972. The Department of Health became the Ministry of Health in 1971, and then the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in June, 1999.
The Ministry of Health was renamed the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in 1999, and subsequently Elizabeth Witmer was the final Minister of Health and the first Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
The Ministry also regulates hospital
s and nursing home
s; operates psychiatric hospital
s and medical laboratories; and co-ordinates emergency health services
for the Province.
The Ministry once operated ambulance services outside of major cities in Ontario
, but the services were off-loaded to municipalities circa 1998.
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
ministry responsible for administering the health care system
Health care system
A health care system is the organization of people, institutions, and resources to deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations....
and providing services to the province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The current minister is Deb Matthews
Deb Matthews
Deborah Drake Matthews, Ph.D. is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of London North Centre for the Ontario Liberal Party, and is currently the province's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in the government of...
.
History
The Public Health Act of 1882 created the Provincial Board of Health of Ontario, as it was originally known, and which was the first permanent health care administrative body in the Province. In 1925 it became the Department of Health. In 1930, the Department of Hospitals was established under the direction of the first Minister of Health; that Department became a division of the Department of Health in 1934.Insured hospital services and insured physicians' services, introduced in 1959 and 1966 respectively, were combined under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in 1972. The Department of Health became the Ministry of Health in 1971, and then the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in June, 1999.
Previous Ministers
Note: This is not a complete listThe Ministry of Health was renamed the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in 1999, and subsequently Elizabeth Witmer was the final Minister of Health and the first Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care
- Deb MatthewsDeb MatthewsDeborah Drake Matthews, Ph.D. is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of London North Centre for the Ontario Liberal Party, and is currently the province's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in the government of...
(October 7, 2009 — Present) - David CaplanDavid CaplanDavid Caplan is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty...
(June 20, 2008 — October 6, 2009) - George SmithermanGeorge SmithermanGeorge Smitherman is a Canadian politician and broadcaster. He represented the provincial riding of Toronto Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1999 to 2010, when he resigned to contest the mayoralty of Toronto in the 2010 municipal election...
(October 23, 2003 — June 20, 2008) - Tony ClementTony ClementTony Peter Clement, PC, MP is a Canadian federal politician, President of the Treasury Board, Minister for the Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario and member of the Conservative Party of Canada....
(February 8, 2001 — April 14, 2002, April 15, 2002 — October 22, 2003) - Elizabeth WitmerElizabeth WitmerElizabeth Witmer is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1990, originally representing Waterloo North and later Kitchener—Waterloo for the Progressive Conservative Party.Witmer moved with her family to Ontario at a young age...
(June 17, 1999 — February 7, 2001)
Ministers of Health
- Elizabeth WitmerElizabeth WitmerElizabeth Witmer is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1990, originally representing Waterloo North and later Kitchener—Waterloo for the Progressive Conservative Party.Witmer moved with her family to Ontario at a young age...
(October 10, 1997 — June 17, 1999)- Cam JacksonCam JacksonCameron "Cam" Jackson is a Canadian politician. A Progressive Conservative, he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1985, and held the office of Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington until his resignation on September 28, 2006 to run for mayor of Burlington in the...
(July 27, 1998 — June 17, 1999) As Minister of Long-Term Care which was subsequently combined with the Minister of Health in 1999
- Cam Jackson
- Jim WilsonJim Wilson-Sports:* James B. Wilson , American football player and coach* Jim Wilson , American Major League Baseball player* Jim Wilson , American pitcher in Major League Baseball, 1945–1958...
(February 21, 1997 — October 10, 1997) Second time - David JohnsonDavid Johnson (Canadian politician)David John Johnson is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was the mayor of East York from 1982 to 1993, a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1993 to 1999, and a senior cabinet minister in the government of Mike Harris.Johnson has a Bachelor of Science...
(December 9, 1996 — February 21, 1997) Interim Minister of Health - Jim WilsonJim Wilson-Sports:* James B. Wilson , American football player and coach* Jim Wilson , American Major League Baseball player* Jim Wilson , American pitcher in Major League Baseball, 1945–1958...
(June 26, 1995 — December 9, 1996) First time - Ruth GrierRuth GrierRuth Anna Grier is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. She was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1985 to 1995, and served as a high-profile cabinet minister in the government of Bob Rae....
(February 3, 1993 — June 26, 1995) - Frances LankinFrances LankinFrances Lankin, PC is a former president and CEO of United Way Toronto, and a former Ontario MPP and cabinet minister. On November 30, 2010, Frances Lankin was appointed by the province to co-chair, along with Dr. Munir Sheikh, a comprehensive review of social assistance in Ontario...
(April 22, 1991 — February 3, 1993) - Evelyn GigantesEvelyn GigantesEvelyn Adelaide Gigantes is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. She served as a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on three occasions between 1975 and 1995, and was a prominent cabinet minister in the government of Bob Rae.The daughter of Earle Sanford Peach...
(October 1, 1990 — April 18, 1991) - Elinor CaplanElinor CaplanElinor Caplan, PC is a retired politician and businesswoman in Ontario, Canada. She served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1985 to 1997, and was a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2004...
(September 29, 1987 — October 1, 1990) Mother of David Caplan - Murray ElstonMurray ElstonMurray John Elston is an executive and former Canadian politician. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1981 to 1994, and was a prominent cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson...
(June 26, 1985 — September 29, 1987) - Philip AndrewesPhilip AndrewesPhilip W. Andrewes is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1981 to 1987, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of Bill Davis and Frank Miller...
(May 17, 1985 — June 26, 1985) - Alan PopeAlan PopeAlan William Pope is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1977 to 1990, and served as a cabinet minister in the governments of Bill Davis and Frank Miller.-Early years:Pope was raised in Northern Ontario, and...
(February 8, 1985 — May 17, 1985) - Keith NortonKeith NortonKeith Calder Norton was a Canadian politician and public servant. He served as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1975 to 1985, and was until 2005 the chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.-Education and early career:Norton was...
(July 6, 1983 — February 8, 1985)- Thomas WellsThomas Leonard WellsThomas Leonard Wells was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1963 to 1985, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of John Robarts and William Davis...
(October 11, 1983 — December 5, 1983) Second time
- Thomas Wells
- Lawrence "Larry" GrossmanLarry GrossmanLawrence "Larry" Sheldon Grossman was a politician in Ontario, Canada.-Early years:Born in Toronto, Grossman was the son of Allan Grossman, who had represented a downtown Toronto riding in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for twenty years after defeating Ontario's last Communist Member of...
(February 13, 1982 — July 6, 1983) - Dennis TimbrellDennis TimbrellDennis Roy Timbrell is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1971 to 1987, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of William Davis and Frank Miller.-Early life and career:...
(February 3, 1977 — February 13, 1982) - Frank MillerFrank Miller (politician)Frank Stuart Miller, was a Canadian politician, who served as the 19th Premier of Ontario for four months in 1985.-Early life and political career:...
(February 26, 1974 — February 3, 1977) Premier of Ontario, February 08, 1985 — June 26, 1985 - Richard Potter (February 2, 1972 — February 26, 1974)
- Albert LawrenceBert LawrenceAlbert Benjamin Rutter Lawrence MC was a Canadian politician and lawyer.-Education:Born in Calgary, Alberta, Lawrence grew up in Ottawa, Ontario and was educated at Ashbury College in Ottawa, Ontario and at Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario.-Career:During World War II,...
(March 1, 1971 — February 2, 1972) - Thomas WellsThomas Leonard WellsThomas Leonard Wells was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1963 to 1985, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of John Robarts and William Davis...
(August 13, 1969 — March 1, 1971) First time - Dr Matthew DymondMatthew DymondDr. Matthew Bulloch Dymond was a Canadian politician and physician.He began practicing medicine in Port Perry, Ontario in 1942 before leaving for the duration of World War II to serve in the Canadian Army's medical corps...
(December 22, 1958 — August 13, 1969) - Mackinnon Phillips (August 8, 1950 — December 22, 1958)
- Russell KelleyRussell Temple KelleyRussell Temple Kelley was an Ontario insurance broker and political figure. He represented Hamilton—Wentworth in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Progressive Conservative member from 1945 to 1951....
(January 7, 1946 — August 8, 1950) - Reginald VivianPercy VivianReginald Percival Vivian was a Canadian politician, physician and professor of medicine. He served as a Progressive Conservative party member of the Canadian House of Commons....
(August 17, 1943 — January 7, 1946) - Harold Kirby (October 12, 1937 — August 17, 1943)
- James Faulkner (July 10, 1934 — October 12, 1937)
- John RobbJohn Morrow RobbJohn Morrow Robb was a physician and political figure in Ontario. He represented Algoma in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1916 to 1919 and from 1926 to 1934 as a Conservative member....
(September 16, 1930 — July 10, 1934) - Forbes GodfreyForbes Elliott GodfreyForbes Elliott Godfrey was an Ontario physician and political figure. He represented York West in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Conservative member from 1907 to 1932....
(April 17, 1924 — September 16, 1930)
Services and Programs
- Ontario Health Insurance PlanOntario Health Insurance PlanThe Ontario Health Insurance Plan is the government-run health insurance plan for the Canadian province of Ontario...
- Trillium Drug Program
- Long-Term CareLong-term careLong-term care is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical need of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods of time....
- Home CareHome careHome Care, , is health care or supportive care provided in the patient's home by healthcare professionals Home Care, (also referred to as domiciliary care or social care), is health care or supportive care provided in the patient's home by healthcare professionals Home Care, (also referred to as...
- Community and Public HealthPublic healthPublic health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
- Health PromotionMinistry of Health Promotion (Ontario)The Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport in the Canadian province of Ontario was responsible for the promotion of healthy living and disease prevention in the province. Between 2005 and July 2010, the organization's name was the Ministry of Health Promotion....
(currently under the Ministry of Health Promotion, a sister Ministry) - Health Force Ontario
The Ministry also regulates hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s and nursing home
Nursing home
A nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
s; operates psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
s and medical laboratories; and co-ordinates emergency health services
Emergency Health Services
Emergency Health Services is an agency of the Department of Health in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.All ground ambulance and air ambulance service in Nova Scotia is contracted by EHS to EMC Emergency Medical Care Inc., a subsidiary of Medavie EMS Inc...
for the Province.
The Ministry once operated ambulance services outside of major cities in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, but the services were off-loaded to municipalities circa 1998.