Hudak Demands eHealth Public Inquiry
Claims Auditor-General’s Report Hints At Criminal Behavior
Oct 14, 2009
The spending scandal came up when Ontario’s Auditor-General released a report revealing eHealth had misspent up to one billion of Ontario taxpayer dollars. It has forced the resignation of McGuinty’s health minister David Caplan, and the firing of eHealth CEO Sarah Kramer, and Chairman Alan Hudson. Opposition leader Tim Hudak, and NDP (New Democratic Party) leader Andrea Horwath have been calling for Deputy Premier George Smitherman to resign as well. Smitherman served as Health Minister when the scandal first began.
Reasons for eHealth Public Inquiry Include Possible Criminal Behaviour
The Auditor-General’s report only hinted at the possibility of criminal behavior. In a news release published by Canwest Newswire the Progressive Conservative Leader specifically pointed out the auditor-general’s suspicion of collusion, and bid rigging. This constitutes what he terms “potential criminal behavior,” and he names it as one of the reasons his party is pressing for a public inquiry. In remarks published by the Toronto Star, Hudak stated his case for an inquiry: “We must get to the bottom of why this took place, and find out who benefited.” He cited unprecedented public anger in the face of the scandal.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) agrees. They say a public inquiry should be held because the money ($1 billion) being misspent together with healthcare cuts entitles Ontarians to an explanation. In comments published by the Toronto Star, NDP leader Andrea Horwath didn’t rule out the possibility of a criminal investigation: “I think the government should be open to any kind of mechanism, whether it’s a public inquiry, or a criminal investigation.”
Hudak meanwhile confirmed the opposition’s intent to continue demanding Deputy Premier George Smitherman’s resignation. Smitherman was Health Minister at the time the eHealth spending scandal began. In comments published by the Toronto Star, Hudak laid the blame for the scandal squarely at the Premier’s feet “He (the Auditor General) demonstrated how Dalton McGuinty, and George Smitherman presided over a billion dollar boondoggle.”
Hudak says a public inquiry would examine Smitherman’s role in the scandal. In June 2008, Smitherman moved from the Health Ministry to Infrastructure and Energy where he also serves as Deputy Premier. It’s rumoured he’s going to run for Mayor of Toronto.
McGuinty Rejects Calls For Public Inquiry, Promises to Implement Recommendations
Premier Dalton McGuinty rejected the opposition’s calls for a public Inquiry. In comments published on CTV.CA he firmly stated his government would not give into opposition calls for the public inquiry: “We will not be moving ahead with a public inquiry. The opposition has a different take on this, and I understand that.”
He also promised to implement recommendations made by the Auditor-General in his report. These included such things as the development of a strategic plan for implementing an electronic health record system, and ensuring procurement policies are followed. On October 7th, 2009 David Caplan resigned his post as Health Minister.
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