News
Liberals will enact all recommendations on Ornge
March 21, 2012, Toronto - Health Minister Deb Matthews isn't waiting for the release of the auditor general's report into the Ornge air ambulance system to say she will act on all his recommendations.
March 21, 2012 By The Canadian Press
Auditor general Jim McCarter's report into the troubled air ambulance service will be released just before noon.
But Matthews has already issued a statement saying she will be "acting on all of the auditor's recommendations.''
It's not publicly known yet just what those recommendations are.
The Canadian Press has learned the former management and board of directors at Ornge refused to co-operate with McCarter.
A source says they denied him key documents that would have revealed the "truth'' behind its for-profit subsidiaries and financial irregularities being investigated by police.
Ornge receives about $150 million a year from the province to operate a non-profit air medical rescue and transport service.
But the agency has been mired in controversy over high salaries, questionable business practices and allegations that public dollars may have been used for personal gain.
The NDP and Conservatives combined Tuesday to out-vote the minority Liberals and demand a special legislative committee be set up to investigate Ornge.
It's not known if the Liberals will agree to the committee.
Matthews — who has refused to resign over the scandal — says new legislation will tighten the leash on Ornge.
