Whereas eye care is critical to the overall health and quality of life of every citizen:
And Whereas routine annual eye exams are crucial in early detection of conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus, Glaucoma, Cataract, Retinal disease, Amblyopia Visual field defects Corneal disease, Strabismus Recurrent Uveitis and Optic Pathway disease;
And Whereas to date the provincial government has not yet made a binding commitment to cover the operating costs of optometrists to deliver eye exams;
And Whereas insured eye exams in Ontario are funded at the lowest level in the entire country;
And Whereas the fees for seniors’ eye exams would have to increase by 70% to reach the next lowest province, Manitoba;
And Whereas the number of seniors in Ontario has increased by more than 70% over the past 30 years and the province’s own projections indicate these numbers will almost double from 2.6 million in 2020 to 4.5 million by 2046;
And Whereas it is vital that there continue to be a sustainable high quality eye care system that residents in North Bay and Ontario can access today and in the future;
And Whereas the Ontario Association of Optometrists are seeking a long-term, sustainable solution so Ontario residents can continue to access quality eye care in a timely fashion.
Therefore Be It Resolved that the City Council of North Bay add its voice to the many cities, institutions and people calling on the Provincial government to enter into good faith formal negotiations with the Ontario Association of Optometrists, with the goal of bringing services and funding levels in optometry in Ontario up to more equitable levels with the rest of Canada.
And Further that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliot, Honourable MPP, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Victor Fedeli, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Rural Ontario Municipal Association and the Ontario Association of Optometrists.