Health Minister Deb Matthews testifies at ORNGE inquiry again

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews stuck to her original testimony during an appearance at the ORNGE inquiry on Tuesday, insisting the former CEO of the air ambulance service wouldn’t divulge compensation details and that the company stonewalled the government regarding information on its business dealings.

ORNGE, which receives approximately $150 million a year from the province, is under investigation for financial irregularities, inflated salaries and compensation, and questionable business deals.
 
The scandal surrounding the company has been a huge source of embarrassment for the governing Liberals, who are accused of failing to oversee ORNGE’s actions, despite giving the company $730 million over five years. The province also allowed ORNGE to borrow an additional $300 million.

The allegations prompted Matthews in February to request an Ontario Provincial Police investigation. She also replaced the ORNGE board of directors.

In her initial round of testimony in March, Matthews said ORNGE went rogue and stonewalled government officials regarding information on for-profit companies established to generate revenue for the publicly-funded agency.

Company CEO Chris Mazza claims the government knew about all of ORNGE’s moves and that he would’ve changed course if directed to do so by the government. On Tuesday, Matthews described that statement as “pure nonsense.” Mazza testified at the inquiry earlier this month.

The NDP and Progressive Conservatives recalled Matthews to clear up any ambiguity. There was also a request for Mazza to testify again, but his doctor says he’s medically unfit to appear before the legislative committee again.

Mazza, who took medical leave once stories of the scandal broke last winter, insisted every action he made while at the helm of ORNGE was done in the public’s best interest and defended his $1.4-million compensation package.

The committee has heard stories about patients dying while waiting for ambulances to arrive.

It also heard about under staffing and poorly-designed choppers that made it difficult, if not impossible, for paramedics to perform CPR.

Critical care flight paramedic Brandon Doneff testified that staff complained about staff reductions and delayed emergency responses as a way to cut costs under Mazza, but said it was like hitting a “brick wall.”

With files from The Canadian Press

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