Penetanguishene General Hospital
Last November, the Commissioner’s Office launched an investigation26 into the announced closure of Penetanguishene General Hospital, an institution in which some services are partially designated. Even though they are protected by the French Language Services Act, a quasi-constitutional law, these services are currently in danger of being eliminated without due process under the Act.
In his investigation, the Commissioner will examine the planning, the process and the public consultations that took place before the decision was made to close this partially designated hospital. The Commissioner’s investigation will focus on the Office of Francophone Affairs, which is responsible for managing the process of revoking the designation of a public service agency, or for amending a regulation designating a public service agency so as to exclude or remove a service from the designation. The investigation will also involve the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN, which oversee the delivery of health care services in the region.
26. For more information: https://csfontario.ca/en/articles/5172 (page consulted in May 2015).