Ontario's doctors vote to reject tentative Physician Services Agreement

TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - After weeks of vigorous debate, Ontario's doctors have voted to reject the tentative Physician Services Agreement (PSA).

Overall, 63.1 per cent of OMA members voted against the Agreement, 36.9 per cent voted for, either in person at their August 14 General Meeting or by proxy.  Fifty-five per cent of the membership participated in the vote.

"Members have spoken, and the Board of Directors respects their decision," said Dr. Virginia Walley, President of the Ontario Medical Association. "The OMA will always represent the will of our members, and today is no different."

With ongoing unilateral government actions and cutbacks, the past two years have been some of the most challenging and demoralizing in recent memory for Ontario's doctors. Ultimately, as expressed by the results of this vote, members have made it clear that more is required from the Ontario government in order to best serve the interests of the profession and patients.

With this decision taken the OMA will move immediately to:

• Convene a meeting of its Board of Directors;
• Consult with members and physician leaders to identify additional priorities that must be addressed when negotiations resume in the future;
• Request a meeting with the Ontario government to communicate in clear terms the OMA's expectations for renewed negotiations.

The Charter challenge launched by the OMA to secure binding arbitration for Ontario's doctors continues.

"We respect and appreciate the time members have dedicated to understanding the Agreement and to making an informed decision," said Dr. Walley. "As President of the OMA, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust, and to re-uniting and re-engaging our membership. Each of our members deserves this, as do the patients we care for."

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) represents more than 42,000 physicians and medical students across the province. Ontario's doctors work closely with patients to encourage healthy living practices and illness prevention. In addition to delivering front-line services to patients, Ontario's doctors play a significant role in helping shape health care policy, as well as implementing initiatives that strengthen and enhance Ontario's health care system.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

Nadia Daniell-Colarossi, Manager Media Relations, Office: 416-340-2970 or 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2970, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Kari Cuss, Senior Director, Marketing Communications & Government Relations, Office: 416-599-2580 ext. 2260 or 1-800-268-7215 ext. 3008, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]