Summary of reports from the Ontario Premier’s Councils 1987-1995 (Part Two)
This compendium should be read in conjunction with – Reimagining Health in Ontario: The Legacy of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy
The Ontario Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (1987-1991)
Chair: Premier David Peterson
The Ontario Premier’s Council on Health, Well-Being and Social Justice (1991-1995)
Chair: Premier Bob Rae
Reports that Influenced the Development of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS)
Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS) – Legacy Reports
Premier’s Council on Health, Well-Being and Social Justice (PCHWSJ) – Legacy Reports
Attachment 1: Vision of Health & Health Goals
Attachment 2: Vision of Social Justice & Principles of Social Justice
This summary was developed by Maureen Quigley and Beverley J. Nickoloff, based on the work of the Ontario Premier’s Councils. As many of the reports produced by these two Councils are not readily available online, this document has been compiled with the following goals:
- To broaden access to these important resources;
- To correct misinformation currently circulating online about the Councils’ mandates, work, and outcomes; and
- To provide an opportunity to upload and share the reports and videos referenced herein (where available) on the web.
Reports that Influenced the Development of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS)
In 1987, three major reports on health care were tabled with the government of Premier David Peterson. These foundational documents shaped the establishment of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy:
- Toward a Shared Direction for Health in Ontario
(Ontario Health Review Panel – “the Evans Report”)
Reviewed major health care issues in Ontario, proposed a unifying philosophy, and identified priority issues to be addressed. - Health for All Ontario (1987)
(Ontario Ministry of Health – “the Spasoff Report”)
Recommended comprehensive health goals and strategies, laying the groundwork for objectives and targets to guide program and resource planning. - Health Promotion Matters in Ontario (1987)
(Ontario Ministry of Health – “the Podborski Report”)
Assessed the state of health promotion in Ontario and emphasized the need for community-informed health promotion programs and expanded public health policy initiatives.
These reports—particularly the Evans Report—catalyzed the establishment of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS).
Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS) – Legacy Reports
Preamble
The mission of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS) was to provide leadership and guidance to the Government of Ontario in achieving the goal of health for every citizen. Due to its high-level political leadership and its mandate, the Council was more than just another task force or commission—it was designed to ensure that its recommendations would be taken seriously by the province.
The Council developed a Vision of Health and articulated five provincial health goals (see attachment). These statements placed health in a broad context, emphasizing the social determinants of health and the importance of equitable opportunities for all Ontarians to achieve better health outcomes.
PCHS Committees
- Health Goals Committee
- Healthy Public Policy Committee (focus on Healthy Child Development Policy; Adult Adjustment and Labour Market Adjustment Policy; Environmental Policy)
- Health Care System Committee (focus on 4 key elements: Hospital funding systems; Physician payment methods; Community services development opportunities; organization linkages)
- Integration & Coordination Committee
- Health Innovation Committee
Key Reports from the PCHS
Initial Reports (1989)
Two landmark reports were released in 1989:
- A Vision of Health: Health Goals for Ontario
Introduced a vision statement and five overarching health goals for the province. - From Vision to Action
Provided concrete recommendations with time-bound targets in four areas:
- Hospital services,
- Physician services,
- Community services, and
- Regional organization of health services.
Reports Released in 1991
In the fall of 1990, additional reports developed by PCHS sub-committees were completed. After Premier Bob Rae’s government reviewed and chose to continue the work of the Council, these reports were officially released in the Legislature in April 1991—with unanimous endorsement from all three political parties:
- Achieving the Vision: Health Human Resources
Identified essential changes needed in the health workforce to support system reform. - Towards Health Outcomes: Goals 2 and 4 – Objectives and Targets
Proposed measurable changes with timelines for:
- Goal 2: Fostering strong and supportive families and communities.
- Goal 4: Increasing the number of years of good health by reducing illness, disability, and premature death.
- Nurturing Health: A Framework on the Determinants of Health
Introduced a pioneering framework on the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health. - Local Decision-Making for Health and Social Services (Report of the Integration & Coordination Committee)
Recommended the establishment of devolved regional authorities for integrated delivery of health and social services.
Additionally:
- Toward a Strategic Framework for Optimizing Health
A summary report reviewing the key recommendations of the PCHS during its first three years (1987-1991).
Each PCHS report was supported by detailed background studies.
Premier’s Council on Health, Well-Being and Social Justice (PCHWSJ) – Legacy Reports
Preamble
The restructuring of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS) was announced in January 1991. The newly formed Premier’s Council on Health, Well-Being and Social Justice (PCHWSJ) was established in June 1991. Its purpose was to act as a catalyst for change by fostering partnerships among professional, business, labour, and community organizations, to ensure the widest possible participation in shaping future policy directions for health and social justice in Ontario.
Key aspects of the Council included:
- The PCHWSJ served as an advisory body to the Premier and the provincial government, with a mandate to recommend medium- and long-term strategies for social change aimed at enhancing the well-being of all Ontarians.
- Council members included health professionals, scholars, community leaders, business representatives, and senior public servants from various ministries.
- Recognizing the fundamental connection between economic prosperity and health, the Council worked in close collaboration with several ministries and the Premier’s Council on Economic Renewal (PCER) to advance the integration of social and economic policy.
- A key focus of the Council was on social justice. Its vision and principles for social justice provided a foundation for addressing broader societal issues and guided its work on progressive social policy development.
- The Council’s recommendations were grounded in the diverse expertise of its members, supported by rigorous research, evaluation, and extensive consultations with both government and the public.
- The Council recommended the “Health for All Ontarians” policy, stressing a shift from treatment toward prevention and the introduction of health impact assessments in all Cabinet submissions. It also identified children and youth as a key target group, focusing on transitional development phases and leading health indicators.
PCHWSJ Committees
- Children & Youth Steering Committee Project
- Determinants of Health Committee
- Equity & Access Committee
- Health & the Environment Committee
- Resource Management Committee
Key Reports
The PCHWSJ released several significant reports, including:
CHILDREN & YOUTH STEERING COMMITTEE PROJECT
- Yours, Mine and Ours: Ontario’s Children and Youth – Phase One
(Final Report of the Children and Youth Project, 1994)
Presented to the Legislative Assembly in May 1994 by Marilyn Knox and Dr. Dan Offord, this report highlighted a collective responsibility for child and youth well-being and proposed integrated, preventive strategies
- Young Voices – Final Report of the Ontario Coalition for Children & Youth, 1994
- Aspirations Project – Qualitative Research Report, 1994
- Consultations for the Children and Youth Project, 1994
EQUITY & ACCESS COMMITTEE
- Pursuing Equity
(Final Report of the Equity & Access Committee, Fall 1994)
- Equity in Health Care Policy
(Report of the Equity & Access Committee, 1993)
DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH COMMITTEE
- Nurturing Health: A New Understanding of What Makes People Healthy
(Report of the Determinants of Health Committee) - Health for All Ontarians: A Provincial Dialogue on the Determinants of Health
(Report of the Determinants of Health Committee)
A 24-page policy report aiming to elevate the determinants of health in province-wide discourse
- Wealth and Health, Health and Wealth
(Report of the Determinants of Health Committee, 1994)
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
- The Crunch: Financing Ontario’s Social Programs
(Report of the Resource Management Committee, 1993)
- Medium-Term Labour Adjustment Issues in the Health and Social Services Sectors: Initiating a Debate (A discussion paper prepared by the Resource Management Committee, June 1994)
- A Framework for Evaluating Devolution
(Report of the Task Force on Devolution, a subcommittee of the Resource Management Committee) - Devolution of Health and Social Services in Ontario: Refocusing the Debate
(Report of the Task Force on Devolution, a subcommittee of the Resource Management Committee) - Challenging Assumptions: Restructuring Health Systems Across Canada – Devolution or Dog’s Breakfast?
(Highlights of a Roundtable sponsored by the Project Team on Health Reform, a subcommittee of the Resource Management Committee) - Video – Creating a Future that Works (run time = 38 minutes)
(A video prepared by the Resource Management Committee, 1994)
- Video – Workable Solutions, 1994 (run time = 23 minutes)
(Video prepared by the Resource Management Committee, 1994)
- Optimizing Resources for Health: Are We Tackling the Real Issues?
(Final Report of the Resource Management Committee, March 1995)
The final report of the Resource Management Committee presents analysis and recommendations in four broad policy areas: resource allocation; labour adjustment and mobility; community job creation and devolution of decision-making. The report identifies what the Committee sees as common themes in all these areas:
- Fundamental reform is needed, not just incremental change
- New options are needed to meet the challenge of diminishing resources
- The link between health and economic well-being must be recognized in priority-setting
- Existing structures of government are barriers to real reform
- Moving responsibilities to communities offers potential, not panaceas, and
- Planning and resource allocation should be based on needs.
The PCHWSJ was disbanded in 1995 following a change in government. No successor ministry or agency assumed leadership for population health at that time, marking a significant shift in the province’s health and social policy landscape.
Contact
Beverley J. Nickoloff
BJN Consulting & Communications
416-819-1436
Attachment 1: Vision of Health & Health Goals
VISION OF HEALTH & SUPPORTING HEALTH GOALS
PREMIER’S COUNCIL ON HEALTH STRATEGY (1987-1991)
Vision of Health
We see an Ontario in which people live longer in good health, and disease and disability are progressively reduced. We see people empowered to realize their full health potential through a safe, non-violent environment, adequate income, housing, food and education, and a valued role to play in family, work and the community. We see people having equitable access to affordable and appropriate health services regardless of geography, income, age, gender or cultural background. Finally, we see everyone working together to achieve better health for all.
Health Goals
- Shift from treatment to health promotion and disease prevention
- Strengthen families and communities
- Ensure a safe, high-quality physical environment
- Increase years of good health by reducing illness and premature death
- Provide accessible, affordable, appropriate health services for all
Attachment 2: Vision of Social Justice & Principles of Social Justice
VISION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
PREMIER’S COUNCIL ON HEALTH, WELL-BEING & SOCIAL JUSTICE (1991-1995)
Vision of Social Justice
We see an Ontario where people value the dignity and self-worth of individuals, where systemic discrimination and barriers are eliminated, and where society celebrates human diversity and strives towards common purpose. We believe that a socially just community supports and expects a balance between individual and collective rights and responsibilities.
We see an Ontario in which everyone has a fair chance to achieve economic, social and personal well-being. We believe that individuals and groups can realize their potential and achieve social justice through full access to the determinants of health which enhance well-being, and through active participation in community life. We believe that resources must be equitable distributed. Policy makers, service providers and institutions must involve the public so that services and programs are accessible and appropriate to the people who are entitled to use them.
Principles of Social Justice
- A socially just society is one whose members value human dignity and self-esteem.
- A socially just society celebrates the diversity of its people, while striving for common purpose.
- Socially just systems have as a basic characteristic the entrenchment of individual and collective rights.
- A socially just community supports and expects a balance between individual and collective rights and responsibility.
- Social justice requires that the gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged bee narrowed, and that equitable access to resources for health and well-being be established.
- The elimination of systemic discrimination and accommodation of different needs is essential to achieving social justice.
- Social justice is advanced through the empowerment of individuals and diverse groups to participate in public policy development. Decisions should be made through open, participatory structures and processes.
