Board lacks jurisdiction to hear appeal of OHIP claims denied for missing prescribed timeframe.
The General Manager of OHIP brought a motion to dismiss a physician's appeal regarding the denial of sixteen claims for fee code W010.
The claims were denied because they were not submitted with the correct enrollment information within the prescribed six-month timeframe.
The Physician Payment Review Board found that the claims were refused under s. 18(3) of the Health Insurance Act for failing to meet prescribed requirements, rather than under s. 18(2).
Consequently, the Board concluded it lacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal, as decisions under s. 18(3) can only be challenged by way of judicial review to the Divisional Court.
The motion was granted and the appeal dismissed without costs.
Councillor breached Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential employment information and making false statements.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint against City of Vaughan Councillor Tony Carella.
The complaint alleged that the Councillor disclosed confidential employment information and made false statements regarding the termination of a former City employee during a meeting with residents.
The Councillor admitted to making the false statements and apologized.
The Integrity Commissioner found that the Councillor breached the Code of Conduct rules regarding confidentiality and respect for the City, and recommended that Council issue a reprimand.
Former councillor found to have breached Code of Conduct by improperly influencing conservation authority.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint alleging that a former Regional Councillor and Deputy Mayor breached the City of Vaughan Code of Ethical Conduct.
The complaint alleged that the Respondent improperly used his influence to affect the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's position on a proposed development and extended preferential treatment to the developer.
The Commissioner found that the Respondent breached Rule 7 by misrepresenting the TRCA's position to City Council and attempting to interfere with the TRCA's decision-making.
The allegation of preferential treatment was not substantiated.
As the Respondent had already resigned, the Commissioner submitted the report without recommending sanctions.
Deputy Mayor found to have sexually harassed an employee; 90-day suspension of remuneration recommended.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint against Deputy Mayor Michael Di Biase alleging sexual assault, sexual harassment, and reprisal.
The Commissioner declined jurisdiction over the sexual assault allegations as they were criminal in nature.
The Commissioner found that the Respondent breached Rule 14 of the Code of Ethical Conduct by sexually harassing the Complainant, creating an intimidating and offensive work environment.
The reprisal allegations were dismissed due to insufficient evidence linking the Respondent to the surveillance of the Complainant.
The Commissioner recommended a reprimand, a 90-day suspension of remuneration, and other corrective actions.
Request for reconsideration denied; Board has jurisdiction to determine basis of OHIP claim refusal.
The General Manager of OHIP requested a reconsideration of a Board decision that found the Board had jurisdiction to hear Dr. Rao's appeal regarding denied claims.
The General Manager argued the Board made a material error of law by failing to determine if it had jurisdiction under s. 18(3) of the Health Insurance Act.
The Board denied the request for reconsideration, finding no material error of law, as the previous decision correctly identified that the basis for the General Manager's refusal of the claims was unclear and required a hearing on the merits to determine if it fell under s. 18(2) or s. 18(3).
Municipal councillor breached Code of Conduct by interfering in procurement and intimidating staff; 90-day suspension recommended.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint against Regional Councillor Michael Di Biase alleging interference in municipal procurement processes and inappropriate pressure on City staff.
The Commissioner found that the Respondent breached multiple rules of the Code of Ethical Conduct by inquiring about tenders during the blackout period, using confidential information provided by a private citizen to criticize competitors, and intimidating staff who refused to bypass procurement rules.
The Commissioner recommended a 90-day suspension of remuneration.
Councillor breached Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential in camera deliberations in a newspaper column.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint that a Town of Newmarket Councillor breached the Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential information from an in camera meeting.
The Councillor published a newspaper column discussing a park naming matter that had been the subject of a closed session.
The Commissioner found that the Councillor breached the confidentiality provisions of the Code of Conduct by disclosing the substance of the in camera deliberations.
The Commissioner recommended that Council issue a formal reprimand and consider further education on in camera meeting rules.
Integrity Commissioner found no Code of Conduct violation regarding Councillor's witness statement at OMB hearing.
A private citizen filed a complaint alleging that a Regional Councillor breached the Code of Ethical Conduct by allowing false evidence to be entered at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing regarding ward boundaries.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the Councillor did not write or review the witness statement prepared by City legal staff prior to the hearing, and his testimony was honest.
The Commissioner concluded that the Councillor did not violate the Code of Ethical Conduct.
Integrity Commissioner dismisses complaint against councillor regarding email responses to requests for constituency records.
A private citizen filed a complaint alleging that a municipal councillor breached the Code of Ethical Conduct by failing to provide clear and understandable responses to emails requesting access to constituency records and information on municipal legal fees.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the councillor had responded appropriately by explaining that he did not maintain files on non-constituents and by referring the legal fees inquiry to the appropriate committee chair.
The Commissioner concluded that the councillor did not violate the Code, noting that individual councillors are not responsible for determining access to records under freedom of information legislation or for answering complex policy questions outside formal council processes.
Mayor found to have inadvertently breached Code of Conduct by failing to answer citizen's questions.
A private citizen filed a complaint with the City of Vaughan Integrity Commissioner alleging that Mayor Linda D. Jackson breached the Code of Ethical Conduct by refusing to answer questions regarding the release of the complainant's personal information.
The Integrity Commissioner found that the Mayor contravened Rule 1(b) of the Code, which requires members to perform their functions with transparency and recognize the public's right to reasonable access to information.
However, the Commissioner concluded the contravention was made through inadvertence and in good faith, and recommended no sanctions, instead advising the Mayor to seek answers from City staff to provide to the complainant.
Integrity Commissioner dismisses Code of Conduct complaint regarding councillor's business card purchases and past procurement practices.
A private citizen filed a complaint alleging that a municipal councillor breached the Code of Ethical Conduct by purchasing magnetic business cards in excess of other members and by using a family member's company to seek competitive pricing in 2003.
The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the 2009 purchase complied with the City's purchasing policies and did not breach the Code.
Regarding the 2003 actions, the Commissioner noted that while they would have constituted a breach under the current Code, they were outside her jurisdiction because the current Code was not in force at the time.
The complaint was not sustained, but the Commissioner recommended implementing the City Auditor's proposed amendments to purchasing policies to ensure transparent procurement.
Integrity Commissioner finds insufficient evidence of Code breach by Mayor but recommends staff confidentiality training.
A private citizen filed a complaint alleging that the Mayor breached the Code of Ethical Conduct by failing to maintain the security of confidential City documents, failing to cooperate with an investigation, and failing to exercise the duties of her position.
The Integrity Commissioner found insufficient evidence to conclude that the Mayor personally breached the Code.
However, noting that an earlier investigation concluded unauthorized disclosures likely originated from the Mayor's office, the Commissioner recommended that the Mayor's staff receive training on confidentiality and security requirements.
