The Ford government has not only angered doctors by pulling the plug on arbitration with the Ontario Medical Association, but now one of its MPPs has gone public in denouncing the move as well. The Star has also learned there is a growing schism within government on the issue — with the health minister’s office on one side and the premier’s office on the other.Binding arbitration, aimed at resolving an almost five-year-old contract dispute between the OMA and government, is scheduled to resume Saturday.But the government revealed earlier this week it no longer plans to attend. The OMA, which is the legally recognized bargaining agent for the province’s 31,000 physicians, says it still plans to participate, noting that arbitration legislation permits the process to continue even if one party fails to show up.There is uncertainty over whether the government’s nominee to the three-member arbitration board will attend. Kevin Smith, who is also president of the University Health Network, was sent a letter from the government Wednesday, informing him his services were not required, numerous sources have told the Star But the OMA contends it’s illegal for the government to “fire” its nominee.Meantime, angry doctors are lashing out against the government with some warning of job action and others calling on Conservative MPPs and cabinet ministers to stand up to their own government on the issue.The physicians charge that the Conservative Party wooed them for their support during the election based on a false promise to make peace with the profession.Conservative MPP Randy Hillier said he has heard that message loud and clear from doctors in his eastern Ontario riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston. He said the Conservatives also promised in the election to resolve the dispute through binding arbitration and now have an obligation to do so.“There is a substantial number of physicians who are very disappointed. They are ...
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