Oct 17, 2012- 2:14 PM
It was mere weeks ago that she had secured the premier's support for her private member's bill, Bill 126, “Health Decisions Made Easy.” The bill was supposed to go to second reading on Nov. 1, but because of McGuinty's move to prorogue, Bill 126 sits in limbo.
“Proroguing is like a magic eraser,” a disappointed Gélinas told Northern Life. “We have to start back at square one.”
Bill 126 consolidates four smaller bills and aims to promote healthier lifestyles while ensuring more oversight of the health care system by giving the Ontario Ombudsman the power to investigate health-care services.
Elements of the bill include: Bill 66, which limits or prohibits the sale of certain tobacco products, like flavoured cigarillos; Bill 74, which restricts tanning bed usage for those under the age of 18; Bill 86, which makes it mandatory for restaurant chains to list calorie and salt content of the foods offered; and Bill 122, which would give the Ontario Ombudsman the power to investigate health-care services.
“This clearing of the ledger has not lessened the need for Bill 126; nor will it satisfy the individuals and groups who have been so active in supporting it,” Gélinas said in a statement. “We still have a strong bill that will be re-introduced as soon as the legislature resumes.”
In conversation with Northern Life, she said the shelving of the bill was particularly disappointing because many young people worked with her on it and it was their first introduction to the legislative process. On the cusp of success, they were handed disappointment, she said.
Gélinas said the bill will be brought back again once parliament resumes, but what the time frame will be is not known.
