Statement by Ontario Hospital Association Re: Incorrect information disseminated by Ontario's New Democractic Party respecting hospital CEO compensation

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2011 /CNW/ - The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) today issued the following statement in response to information that has recently been disseminated by the Ontario New Democratic Party respecting hospital CEO compensation:

"Over the past 24 hours, the NDP has twice disseminated incorrect information regarding hospital CEO compensation:

• On September 21, a CP news story regarding the NDP announcement of several new birthing centres stated that "the NDP plan to find the money by capping the salaries of hospital CEOs at $418,000, which they say will free up about $80 million."  This is incorrect.  If implemented, the NDP policy would save approximately $3.7 million annually.  Yesterday the OHA contacted the NDP central campaign and requested clarification/correction.  Subsequent versions of the CP story stated that the NDP "plans to find the money by capping the salaries of public sector executives - including hospital CEOs at $418,000" - which they say will free up about $20 million a year.
• In a story published in the Sudbury Star this morning, local NDP candidate Paul Loewenburg is paraphrased as saying that 48 hospital CEOs make in excess of $418,000.00 and that if the NDP commitment to cap CEO salaries was implemented, these savings would go to "front-line" care.  This information about CEO compensation is also incorrect.  Including benefits, 33 of Ontario's 152 hospital CEOs make more than the proposed cap - one third fewer than the number claimed by Loewenburg.  Based on the 2010 Sunshine List, 77 of the 207,000 people employed in hospitals, including CEOs, senior management, physician employees and other clinical staff reported a remuneration level (including benefits) higher than the proposed NDP cap of $418,000.00 for CEOs.  This is less than four one-hundredths of one percent of the total number of hospital employees.

The OHA respects the right of any individual to comment on topics related to hospital performance and executive compensation.  However, the OHA respectfully requests that this commentary take place using correct data and information."

SOURCE Ontario Hospital Association

For further information:

Alessandra Nigro, OHA Public Affairs
anigro@oha.com
416-205-1592