Toronto – Patty Rout, First Vice President Treasurer of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union told an all-party committee in Toronto that the methodology proposed in the Caplan report is seriously flawed. Although the goals presented in the Caplan report are attainable, persistent problems including appropriate and secure funding, cut-backs to valuable programs and services, the closure of psychiatric facilities and the fragility of the workforce must all be addressed. OPSEU’s formula to get the plan right involves recognizing the importance of psychiatric hospitals while providing proper resources for patients with mental illnesses and/or addictions including the fast and efficient delivery of programs and services, health communities and the need to ensure a viable workforce.

OPSEU’s submission to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions can be read here.