ARCH Disability Law Centre
Sent via email at info@ontariohealth.ca

April 22, 2020 
	
Matthew Anderson, President and CEO 
Ontario Health 

Dear Mr. Anderson:

Re: Clinical Triage Protocol 

I am writing in response to an undated letter received by ARCH Disability Law Centre on April 21, 2020 from the Honourable Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Todd Smith and Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, Raymond Cho regarding Ontario Health’s Clinical Triage Protocol for Major Surge in COVID Pandemic, March 28, 2020. 

On April 8, 2020, ARCH submitted an Open Letter to the Ontario Government raising concerns about the Triage Protocol. The Open Letter was signed by 204 groups and organizations, and 4828 individuals, demonstrating significant concern amongst our communities. Please find a link to the letter here: https://archdisabilitylaw.ca/resource/open-letter-ontario-covid-19-triage-protocol/

The Ontario Government’s responding letter confirms that any medical protocol will not disproportionately impact marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities. This is a welcome message. In addition, the letter states that Ontario Health is in the process of consulting with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and other human rights and community experts. 

ARCH appreciates these efforts taken by the Government and Ontario Health, and the difficulty that is involved. ARCH requests further information regarding this consultation. We ask that information about this consultation be publically available, and that ARCH and members of the disability community have an opportunity to provide feedback within this process. In addition, we respectfully suggest that if there is a revised version of the March 28, 2020 Triage Protocol, that this document be released for consultation. 
One point of concern is that the letter does not clarify the status of the current Triage Protocol. Despite the Government’s assertion that it is a draft, ARCH is concerned that should hospitals hit surge prior to the approval or authorization of the Triage Protocol, then doctors will rely on the current version which can lead to devastating and disproportionate impacts on persons from marginalized communities, including disability communities. We ask that the Ontario Government make it clear that the current version will be of no effect should hospitals hit surge while Ontario Health conducts consultations. 

Thank you for considering this request, and we look forward to working with the Ontario Government and Ontario Health to ensure that any decision-making framework relied upon for allocation of critical care resources amidst the COVID Pandemic does not disproportionately and discriminatorily impact persons with disabilities in Ontario.

Sincerely,

ARCH Disability Law Centre 

Robert Lattanzio
Executive Director 

cc.  	Christine Elliott
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

Todd Smith 
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

Raymond Cho
Minister for Seniors and Accessibility