Recommendations affecting all Ontarians have been put forward in the “Drummond Report,” officially called Public Services for Ontarians: A Path to Sustainability and Excellence.
The report makes recommendations in a vast number of areas of provincial, and intergovernmental jurisdiction, including immigration, nonprofits, education, justice, employment and training, health, infrastructure, environment and much more. Many of the recommendations intersect with Maytree’s work. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be breaking down the report in these specific areas, linking you to our and our network’s work.
Background
Given the extent and depth of the document’s recommendations and the very wide mandate “to think long and hard about how government can work better for the benefit of everyone in the province,” understanding the Commission’s mandate and scope is essential.
The Commission had a five-part mandate:
- Advise on how to balance the budget earlier than the 2017–18 fiscal year.
- Once the budget is balanced, ensure a sustainable fiscal environment.
- Ensure that the government is getting value for money in all its activities.
- Do not recommend privatization of health care or education.
- Do not recommend tax increases.
While the commission had no formal or comprehensive consultations, the opening letter from Don Drummond recommends the Ontario government seek further input from Ontarians: “Although we have not made a formal recommendation on this point, I urge you to consider holding broader consultations on the economic and fiscal challenges facing this province. Ontarians have not yet grasped the extent to which the slow decline of this province’s manufacturing base has undermined both its historic economic advantage relative to the rest of Canada and the provincial government’s long-term ability to finance the public services they treasure. You should go beyond a legislative body to review our report and consult as well with the wider public through town hall gatherings and meetings of stakeholders. An informed public is essential to the success of the reforms.”
This seems an important step in any future process.
Some initial feedback about the overall tone and substance of the report:
- The Drummond report (Deloitte Canada)
- Drummond Report Sets Stage for Ontarios Future Competitiveness (Ontario Chamber of Commerce)
- The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has been providing extensive analysis on their Behind the numbers site. An important post to read on their site comes from Jim Stanford – Ten Points on Recession, Deficits, and Austerity in Ontario.
- Out of Step With Ontario – A First Look at the Report of the Drummond Commission (OPSEU)
- Provincial News: Responses to the Drummond Report
Media coverage
As is to be expected, there is a growing list of media stories. Expect the stories to get more and more specific as groups, politicians and journalists analyze and dissect specific sections of the report.
Some specific coverage of interest:
- Video: The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Don Drummond: The Report (The Agenda)
- Selling the Drummond Report (TVO The Agenda)
- Reaction to Report (CBC Metro Morning)
- Aggressive Action (CBC Metro Morning)
- Too Optimistic? (CBC Metro Morning)
Where the report intersects with our work
We’ll spend some time in the coming weeks delving more deeply into the sections of the report that intersect most directly with Maytree’s work. For now, we’ve compiled (and will continue to compile) reactions to specific sections of the report from other groups.
Each initial link below takes you to the relevant section of the commission’s report. We’ve added current analysis from various groups within each section.
Most of the commission’s recommendations in immigration are consistent with Maytree’s position and previous reports and opinions. Some starting points for you to read:
- Maytree Policy Insights – From Insecurity to Prosperity: Practical Ideas for a Stronger Canada
- Maytree Publications
- The Drummond Commission recommendations on immigration (and the missed opportunities to address immigrant children/families) (immigrantchildren.ca)
- Misdiagnosis: Drummonds Health Care Prescription Misses Equity (Wellesley Institute)
- Austerity is bad for your health (Sheila Block, Wellesley Institute)
- Statement from Ontario’s Doctors to the Drummond Report (Ontario Medical Association)
- Ontario’s Hospitals Welcome Drummond Report (Ontario Hospital Association)
- Ontario’s Naturopathic Doctors Respond to Drummond Report (Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors)
- ONA releases research paper with fiscal solutions (Ontario Nurses’ Association)
- Drummond Report to Province: cut costs, improve healthcare (CARP)
- Summary & Short Analysis of the Drummond Report (Ontario Health Coalition)
- Ontario Healthcare: News and Commentary by Doug Allan (Ontario Council of Hospital Unions)
Chapter 6: Elementary and Secondary Education
- Cdn EdWire Drummond Report Dominates Canada’s Education Discourse (Max Cooke, Canadian Education Association)
- Government’s Commitment to Students, Education More Relevant than Economist’s Recommendations (ETFO)
- Drummond recommends steep cuts in education (People for Education)
- OCUFA analysis of the Drummond Report: all cuts, no substance (Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations)
- Efficiency and evidence-based practice in early childhood education and care: CRRU’s analysis of the ECEC recommendations in the Drummond report (Childcare Resource and Research Unit)
- Press Release: The Ontario Nonprofit Network Responds to Drummond Report -Third Sector Important Solution to Public Service Delivery Reforms (Ontario Nonprofit Network)
- Social Impact Bonds May Be Coming to Ontario: Celebration and Cautions (Sara Lyons, Socialfinance.ca)
- What Might Don Drummond’s Report Mean for the Arts? (Orchestras Canada)
