Public Policy Documents

Key Political Papers

• Bringing The Pieces Together (July 4, 2012)
  Published: 7/16/2012 1:18:27 PM
  OCFP

  This document was developed to provide the MOHLTC and the LHINs with a roadmap for strengthening the primary care sector
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• Policy Statement
  Published: 2/13/2011 3:03:34 AM
  Family Physicians with Special Interests and with Focused Scopes of Practice.
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• The ED Wait-time/ALC Strategy: Family Physicians are Key to Success
  Published: 9/12/2008 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  The purpose of this document is to identify the key roles that family doctors play in: 1) reducing the demand for emergency services and subsequent hospitalization; 2) reducing initial hospitalizations in general; 3) the provision of emergency medical ser
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• The Leadership Connect Network: A Symposium on Family Medicine Recruitment and Retention
  Published: 10/25/2006 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  Bandaid solutions to the crisis in family medicine have tended to accelerate rather than solve the problems facing family doctors throughout the province. In the 1990s, several public policy decisions combined to create an outright shortage of family doct
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• Summary of the Proceedings of the 8th Symposium for Organizational Leaders: Linking Family Physician Leaders with the LHINs
  Published: 3/24/2006 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  The Ontario College of Family Physicians has been provided with a Primary Health Care Transition Fund (PHCTF) grant to host a series of “Symposiums for Organizational Leaders? Our previous seven Symposiums were well attended by Hospital Board Chairs, CEOs
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• Family Physicians and Public Policy: The Light at the End of the Tunnel
  Published: 10/1/2005 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This document was designed to highlight and discuss possible solutions to the many challenges facing family doctors in Ontario. It provides a background and context to the journey they have been on in recent years as various policy decisions have been imp
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• Local Health Integration Networks - A Means Not an End
  Published: 11/1/2004 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) is pleased to participate in the consultation process to establish Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in 14 parts of the province. Family physicians provide care to patients on a daily basis and are i
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• Starting With Primary Care: Patient/Family Centred Organizational Transformation
  Published: 9/8/2004 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This report describes the results of a consultation process to elicit the opinions of Ontario’s healthcare leaders regarding primary care and system co-ordination. The project “Shared-Care as the System Integrator/Symposiums for Organizational Leaders?1)
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• Bringing the Pieces Together: Shared-Care in Family Practice
  Published: 6/19/2002 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This paper was crafted in response to a request by the Honourable Roy Romanow and presented to the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Across Canada a shift to a "true" health care system is taking place; however, the transformation to a "p
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Family Medicine in the 21st Century

• Access to Healthcare for the Marginalized: A Challenge for Family Medicine
  Published: 1/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
  Access to Healthcare for the Marginalized: A Challenge for Family Medicine

  To be successful, primary health care reform must acknowledge diverse health needs that exist within the province. These needs include the differing circumstances of remote, rural, suburban, urban and inner city settings. Access to care for groups such as
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• Budget 2006: Addressing Two-Tiered Healthcare in Ontario
  Published: 12/13/2005 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  Canadians are very proud of the healthcare system that they have collectively created and view it as the best example of our Canadian values. The system was developed based on the premise that the provision of care should not be dictated by the depth of o
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• Linking Family Physicians with Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in Ontario
  Published: 12/1/2005 12:00:00 AM
  Cheryl Levitt, MBBCh, CCFP, FCFP, President - Ontario College of Family Physicians

  This research attempts to identify how family physicians might link with the newly formed Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in Ontario, by exploring the experiences and perceptions of family physicians in other national and international jurisdict
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• Summary of the Proceedings of Family Medicine Forum VI - "Comprehensive Care in Crisis"
  Published: 9/24/2005 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  FMF VI was hosted by the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) in response to growing concerns about the loss of comprehensive family medicine in the province. The latest National Physician Survey revealed that fewer than 24% of Canadian family medi
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• Resource Allocation: Creating "Two Tiered Medicine" in Ontario
  Published: 5/11/2005 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Val Rachlis, President and OCFP

  Thank you for inviting Jan Kasperski, the CEO of our College, and me to speak to you about what is happening in the realm of Family Medicine in Ontario today. In considering how I would address the impending crisis in the delivery of primary medical care,
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• Presentation to The Standing Committee on Social Policy Regarding Bill 36, Local Health System Integration Act, 2005
  Published: 1/1/2005 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP & Dr. Cheryl Levitt, President

  The OCFP is concerned about the new LHIN legislation. We believe that regionalization, if it is to be undertaken, should be occurring because it is a mechanism that will improve the state of health care for all Ontarians. We are open to this being the cas
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• Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice & Social Policy: Bill 8 - The Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, 2003
  Published: 2/24/2004 12:00:00 AM
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• SARS and Community Care: Impact and Opportunity
  Published: 11/1/2003 12:00:00 AM
  Ontario Home and Community Care Council

  This report describes the impact that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had on primary care and community health services in Ontario, reinforces the importance of emergency preparedness, highlights the vital role of community care in future disease
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• The Mushroom Syndrome: SARS and Family Medicine
  Published: 9/29/2003 12:00:00 AM
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• Summary of Proceedings of Family Medicine Forum V - Special Communities, Special Populations: Addressing the Gap
  Published: 6/20/2003 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  Family Medicine is at a crossroad. The shortage of family doctors has meant that many people do not have a family doctor. In addition, hospital restructuring has shifted care to the community; however, the resources to cope with the added responsibilities
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• Presentation to the Commission on the Future of Healthcare in Canada
  Published: 4/11/2002 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP, Dr. Gordon E. Riddle, President, (2001-2002)

  These briefing notes were presented to the Romanow Commission in Sudbury on April 11, 2002. The paper emphasizes the roles of family doctors in our health care - now and in the future. The paper reflects the cost-effectiveness of family medicine and revie
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• Shifting Mindsets:Investing in Quality Care for Ontarians
  Published: 4/9/2002 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This paper was developed and presented to the Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. This paper suggests that funding be viewed differently and recommends buying adaption, not the status quo, through "smart spending." • “Stop & Go” fun
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• Shifting Mindsets: From Cost Containment to Investing in Accessible Quality Care
  Published: 2/28/2002 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Ken Hook, President (2001-2002), OCFP

  This paper was developed as a platform for discussion with the Ministry of Finance in the consultation process leading up to the development of the 2002-2003 provincial budget. This paper calls for a replacement of "Stop & Go" funding with steady predicta
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• New Paradigms for Quality of Care
  Published: 2/8/2002 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Barbara Starfield

  This presentation was given at Family Medicine Forum IV
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• Summary of Proceedings of Family Medicine Forum IV: Celebrating Quality in Family Medicine: An International Prespective
  Published: 2/8/2002 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  The OCFP hosted Family Medicine Forum IV to provide participants with an overview of international activities that support quality practices amongst family doctors.
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• Ensuring Success for Ontario’s Family Health Networks - Leadership, Innovation, Accountability & Connectivity in Family Medicine
  Published: 6/19/2001 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This paper was developed based on the Family Medicine Forum III Consultation process. Following announcements by Premier Mike Harris to establish Family Health Networks throughout Ontario, the OCFP crafted this paper to provide guidance and advice to the
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• Summary of the Proceedings of Family Medicine Forum III - Building our Strengths
  Published: 3/31/2001 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  In April 2000, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ontario Medical Association negotiated a landmark agreement that paved the way for the establishment of Family Health Networks. On March 21st, 2001, Premier Mike Harris joined the Minister o
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• Implementation Strategies: Protecting Trust in the Patient-Physician Relationship
  Published: 6/19/2000 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), & OCFP

  This paper is one of a series of papers developed following the Family Medicine Forum II consultation process. At the heart of Family Medicine is the trusting relationship between physician and patient. Family physicians are able to provide patients with
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• Implementation Strategies: Collaboration in Primary Care - Family Doctors & Nurse Practitioners Delivering Shared Care
  Published: 5/18/2000 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Daniel Way, Ms. Linda Jones, Dr.Nick Busing

  This paper was commissioned by the OCFp in response to the consultation process following Family Medicine Forum II. The paper was based on research jointly sponsored by the University of Ottawa’s Department of Family Medicine and the School of Nursing. Fu
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• Family Medicine in the 21st Century: Implementation Strategies
  Published: 4/18/2000 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), & OCFP

  This paper was crafted following Family Medicine Forum II. FMF II provided participants with an opportunity to review the model of care described in the OCFP document, "Family Medicine in the 21st Century: A Prescription for Excellent Health Care" and to
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• Summary of the Proceedings of Family Medicine Forum II
  Published: 2/12/2000 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  The Ontario College of Family Physicians hosted Family Medicine Forum II on February 12, 2000. Our purpose in inviting to the Forum all of the major medical organizations and our nursing colleagues, was to examine the recommendations in our discussion doc
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• Family Medicine in the 21st Century: A Prescription for Excellent Healthcare
  Published: 11/30/1999 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President, (1998-1999), & OCFP

  In June of 1999, the OCFP released the initial draft of this document which presented specific recommendations for restructuring the delivery of care by Family Physicians in Ontario. An important goal of the paper was to stimulate dialogue amongst healthc
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• Examples of Excellence in Family Medicine
  Published: 3/22/1999 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), Ms. Jan Kasperski, Executive Director

  In the recent past, many rural and northern communities experienced problems recruiting and retaining family physicians. Today, the lack of family physicians is the norm in smaller communities throughout all of Ontario and many large communities in both t
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• Why Do We Need to Reform Primary Medical Care?
  Published: 11/1/1998 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), OCFP

  The changes we suggest would focus health care in a physician’s practice. The patient would choose his/her physician and register for comprehensive care. Comprehensive care would include: health assessments; prevention of illness and appropriate health pr
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• Two Tier Or Multi- Layered: A Crucial Difference
  Published: 3/7/1998 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), Dr. Ralph Masi, President, (1996-1997)

  Family Medicine has a challenge in the orderly development of the health care system in the immediate future. The introduction or expansion of privately available health systems within a seriously financially stressed health system is a reality. How we ca
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• Bringing The Pieces Together: Beginning the Process
  Published: 12/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
  Executive of the Ontario College of Family Physicians

  This implementation paper refined through further discussion and consultation, addresses several major problems that are hampering the maintenance and improvement of Ontario's healthcare system
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• Bringing the Pieces Together: Planning for Future Healthcare
  Published: 12/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
  Executive of the Ontario College of Family Physicians

  For decades, Canadians and particularly those in Ontario, have enjoyed one of the finest health systems in the world. This system is now threatened by escalating costs, the results of many factors such as increased technology, specialization and some inap
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Physician Shortage

• Summary of the Proceedings from Family Physician Check-Up: A Forum Examining Why the Shortage & How to Solve It
  Published: 9/12/2003 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  At a recent forum conducted by the OCFP entitled, Family Physician Check-Up: A Forum Examining Why the Shortage and How to Solve It, representatives of family physicians, medical schools, interns and residents, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in
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• Where Have All the Family Doctors Gone? A Response to the George Panel on Health Professional Human Resources Report
  Published: 10/22/2001 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  The Ministry of Health and Long-term Care appointed Dr. Peter George to lead the process of identifying strategies to relieve the shortage of physicians in Ontario. The George Panel developed a series of 30 recommendations based on the panels consultation
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• Where Have All the Family Doctors Gone? A Discussion Document
  Published: 2/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  With patients across the province finding it increasingly difficult to find a trusted physician delivering comprehensive continuity care, access to services has become compromised and confidence in the system is at an all time low. This paper was develope
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• Implementation Strategies: Too Many Hours, Too Much Stress, Too Little Respe
  Published: 7/19/2000 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This paper is one of a series of papers developed following the Family Medicine III consultation process. Family Physicians define themselves in terms of their relationship with their patients. The patient and physician relationship is at the heart of Fam
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• Where Have Our Family Doctors Gone? #5 Improving the Professional Environment
  Published: 5/25/2000 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This paper was crafted to provide guidance and advice to the Ministry of Long-Term Care regarding the shortage of family doctors in Ontario. The value of better working conditions for stressed-out physicians cannot be understated. Decrease workload demand
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• Where Have Our Family Doctors Gone? #4 The Future is Now
  Published: 9/23/1999 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), OCFP

  In August of 1999, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) released a report on physician resources in Canada that describes an increase in both the supply and aging of physicians in this country. In presenting this data, the Canadian Medical
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• Where Have Our Family Doctors Gone? #3 Hospitals Without Family Physicians
  Published: 8/18/1999 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser President (1998-1999), OCFP

  While the media has made a connection between increased use of emergency departments and family physician shortages, they have not yet reported on an another issue related to family medicine. Increasingly, family physicians are withdrawing from the provis
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• Where Have Our Family Doctors Gone? #2 Reversing The Trend
  Published: 6/23/1999 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), OCFP

  The document addresses not only means to increase physician resources in the province, but also ways to increase the likelihood of retaining quality physicians in our province.
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• Where Have Our Family Doctors Gone? #1 A Brief History
  Published: 5/14/1999 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Walter Rosser, President (1998-1999), OCFP

  If family physicians are to provide the broad scope of services as envisioned in the Family Physician 2000 document, there is a need for an adequate number of family doctors to provide services to the residents of Ontario.
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Environment and Health

• 2012 Systematic Review of Pesticide
  Published: 4/18/2012 6:23:24 PM
  Marg Sanborn, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Kate Bassil, MSc, PhD, Cathy Vakil, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Kathleen Kerr, MD, MCFP, Dip. Env. Health, and Kelsey Ragan, MPH

  The second Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) Systematic Review of Pesticide Health Effects reviewed the relevant literature published since 2003.
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• Addressing the Health Effects of Climate Change: Family Physicians Are Key
  Published: 3/16/2012 2:21:50 PM
  OCFP

  This is a landmark review of the science of climate change and its impacts on human health –now and in the near future. Climate change has led to a great deal of concern amongst Canadians and a world-wide debate on the strategies that are needed to address this all encompassing health issue. In spite of the concerns of governments and people around the world, physicians and the health care sector in general have been relatively silent on an issue that will have major impacts on the health of the people they serve and in the communities in which they practice.
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• Health Effects of Climate Change
  Published: 8/31/2011 8:07:53 PM
  Dr. Alan Abelsohn, Dr. Val Rachlis, Dr. David Rosen, Ms. M. Janet Kasperski
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• Activity Log and Functional Capacity Scale
  Published: 2/14/2011 2:01:29 AM
  Dr. Alison Bested and Dr. Lynn Marshall

  Activity Log and Functional Capacity Scale
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• Playing it Safe: Childproofing for Environmental Health
  Published: 2/14/2011 2:00:51 AM
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• Child Health and the Environment - A Primer
  Published: 2/14/2011 2:00:20 AM
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• Order Form - Child Health and the Environment - Primer and Playing it Safe Brochure
  Published: 2/14/2011 1:48:24 AM
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• Addressing the Health Impacts of Climate Change: Family Physicians are Key
  Published: 4/7/2008 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Alan Abelsohn, CCFP, FCFP Dr. Val Rachlis, CCFP, FCFP Dr. David Rosen, MCFP & OCFP

  The earths climate has changed, and will continue to change. The earth has warmed and global temperatures will continue to rise. This has led to complex changes in the climate, in Canada and across the world, that are expected to continue and escalate. Th
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• Report on Public Health and Urban Sprawl in Ontario
  Published: 1/1/2005 5:00:54 AM
  Alan Abelsohn, MBChB, CCFP, FCFP, Riina Bray, BASc, MSc, MD, CCFP - Catherine Vakil, MD, CCFP - David Elliott, PhD

  This report summarizes pertinent information on the relationship between urban sprawl and health. It serves to identify the key issues that are relevant to the growing number of sprawl-related health problems in Ontario which is comparable to US situation
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• Pesticides Literature Review
  Published: 4/23/2004 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Margaret Sanbord, Dr. Donald Cole, Dr. Kathleen Kerr, Dr. Cathy Vakil, Dr. Luz Helena Sanin, Dr. Kate Bassil

  In recent years, few environmental issues have aroused the concern of the public as much as pesticides, especially in relation to the health of children. In spite of the many published studies on the subject of pesticides and human health, there remains d
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• Mercury Exposure: Information for Patients
  Published: 9/1/2003 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Riina Bray and Dr. Kathleen Kerr

  The Environmental Health Committee produced this pamphlet as a tool for patients seeking more information regarding mercury exposure.
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• Taking An Exposure History
  Published: 1/1/2003 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Lynn Marshall

  These sheets are designed as tools for taking patients history with respect to exposure to environmental contaminants.
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• Pesticides & Children's Health Project Proposal Phase One: Literature Review and Physician/Patient Education Materials
  Published: 10/21/2002 12:00:00 AM
  Ms. Jan Kasperski, Executive Director & CEO and Ms. Kathleen Cooper, Researcher-Canadian Environmental Law Association

  The Project, “Pesticides and Children’s Health – Phase One: Literature Review and Patient Educational Materials” will: • Support physicians with nationally and internationally recognized expertise in children’s environmental health to conduct a comprehens
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• Briefing Notes on Bill C-53, The Proposed New Pest Control Products Act, for the Standing Committee on Health
  Published: 5/2/2002 12:00:00 AM
  OCFP

  This paper was developed as a document presented to the Standing Committee on Health. The Committee is reviewing Bill C-53, the proposed new Pest Control Products Act. The Environmental Health Committee (EHC) has undertaken research on pesticides and a br
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• Environmental Standard Setting and Children's Health
  Published: 5/25/2000 12:00:00 AM
  Kathleen Cooper, Loren Vanderlinden, Ph.D, Theresa McClenaghan, LLM, Karyn Keenan, Kapil Khatter, MD, Paul Muldoon, LLM, Alan Abelsohn, MD

  A report by the Children's Health Project, a joint effort of the Canadian Environmental Law Association and the Ontario College of Family Physicians Environmental Health Committee. Human behaviour has resulted in the introduction of many tens of thousands
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• Lead Exposure: Information for Patients
  Published: 5/1/2000 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Margaret Sanborn and Dr. Kathleen Kerr

  The Environmental Health Committee produced this pamphlet as a tool for patients seeking more information regarding lead exposure
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• Case Criteria Checklists (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity)
  Published: 1/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
  Dr. Lynn Marshall, Dr. Alison Bested and Dr. Riina Bray

  Diseases of the 21st Century — Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Clinical Diagnostic Worksheet; Diagnostic Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia (FM); Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Case Criteria Checklist
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