Health News For South West


Monday, April 07, 2014

Opportunity and Security for Health Care and Education

Ontario is investing more than $150 million over three years in technology and learning with such tools as new digital tablets, netbooks, cameras, software and professional development for teachers. This fund will speed up the way in which students learn and prepare them for good jobs in the global economy.

Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement while speaking with local community members at the Columbus Centre in Toronto.  Premier Wynne also discussed the significant progress the government has made over the past 10 years in health care and education and outlined the government's plan and next steps to support high-quality public services for all Ontarians.

Highlights from the speech include:

  • An expanded view of student success that will continue to focus on reading, writing and math, while adding a greater emphasis on other skills, including critical and creative thinking, innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship.
  • The Premier's commitment to improved collective bargaining in the education sector through legislation that enshrines respectful relationships among all partners and will help ensure students continue to learn in one of the top-performing jurisdictions in the world.
  • Encouraging schools and their local partners to make schools hubs where residents can meet to participate in a range of activities and access services to support their health and well-being.
  • Ontario's health care system will continue with its transformation agenda that places patient care at the centre, delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
  • Fifty-four community Health Links ar! e in place across the province, helping seniors and patients with multiple and complex needs by allowing their different health care providers to co-ordinate care. This will reduce hospital re-admissions and unnecessary trips to emergency rooms. 
  • Since 25 per cent of health care costs associated with chronic diseases are due to preventable risk factors, the province will continue to focus on wellness and prevention to encourage Ontarians to stay healthy, so they can stay out of hospital and have a higher quality of life.

Delivering excellence in health care and education is part of the government's economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow. The comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on Ontario's greatest strengths - its people and strategic partnerships.
 
Quick Facts:

  • Today, 83 per cent of students are graduating from high school, up from 68 per cent in 2004.
  • Ontario’s schools and teachers are deeply engaged in innovation on the use of mobile technologies, cloud-based learning and development of curriculum-linked resources and tools such as videos, apps and technology-enabled, project-based learning by students.
  • 71 per cent of children in grades 3 and 6 are achieving the high provincial standards in reading, writing and math – up from 54 per cent in 2003.
  • Ontario students continue to perform above the OECD average in every category in the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment test.
  • Ontario has the highest post-secondary education attainment rate (64 per cent) among all OECD countries.
  • Studies have shown that 75 per cent of seniors with complex needs who spent time in the hospital received care from as many as six different doctors.
  • Ontario has the some of the shortest surgical wait times in the Canada. The wait time for hip replacement surgery is down by 44%; the wait time for knee replacement surgery is down by 52%. The days of waiting saved since 2005 would cover 6,000 lifetimes.
  • Ontario spends the least per capita on programs and services of any Canadian province.
 
Learn More:

 
Quotes:

"Our economic prosperity depends on having a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Our health and education systems make Ontario the best place to live, work and raise a family. It is critical that every child and student in Ontario gain the knowledge, skills and characteristics to be a successful, productive and engaged citizen."

— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario

"We are committed to helping every student succeed. Our students are global citizens and need the critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills to advance in an ever-changing economy that is increasingly driven by technology."

— Liz Sandals, Minister of Education

"Our government continues to invest to ensure that students can attend Ontario’s world-class colleges and universities based on their ability to learn, not to pay. By making our postsecondary institutions more accessible, affordable, and innovative, we are helping equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to actively contribute to Ontario’s 21st century, global economy."

— Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

"We want Ontario to be the healthiest place in North America to grow up and grow old. By creating healthier lifestyles, we help Ontarians stay healthy and that in turn safeguards our healthcare system for future generations."

— Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

© 2025, thehealthline.ca All rights reserved.