We are excited to share this Sudbury Star article on the recent advocacy efforts of our members, Venkadesan Rajendran, President, and Andy Wang, Past-President of the Northern Ontario District of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association. On Monday, October 28, 2024 they met with the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier, Sylvia Jones, to call for the full implementation of Bill 179, which was passed back in 2009 with all-party support. Later that evening, Venkadesan and Andy attended a Leader’s Dinner with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet ministers, where they successfully brought this critical issue to the Premier’s attention.
The two “received heartening reassurances from the Minister of Health that “she would review and take the necessary steps to implement Bill 179.” In their meeting with the Minister, Venkadesan and Andy highlighted how important it is for the final regulations to be implemented so that physiotherapists in Ontario can order diagnostic and laboratory tests directly, and alleviate pressures on physicians, reduce red tape and help patients in Ontario.
