Archive 1997-2016
Many Ontarians will find it a lot harder to pursue a healthy lifestyle starting April 1. That’s when the provincial government’s decision to remove physiotherapy from its public health insurance program will come into effect. The policy change was handed down as part of the 2004 budget.
Because gym memberships are so expensive, Diane Sauve had little motivation to get fit. But after her husband saw an advertisement for an affordable fitness program for women, she decided it was time to get her life back.
Although the sports portion of the federal budget targets the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games and seems to make little room for summer paralympic athletes, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Heritage Canada say they won’t be left out in the cold.
While the provincial government has announced that physiotherapy in the province will continue to be offered through Home Care and in Long-Term Care facilities, this situation will benefit less than 10 per cent of the population.