INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Peter Tabuns: It's my pleasure to introduce Kathy Argiropoulos, Maria Daskalos, Jim Parthenis, Christine Theolis, Nicholas Theolis, Dimitri Theolis and Maria Tatsiopoulos, who are here today for the introduction of a petition on Dimitra Daskalos.

DIMITRA DASKALOS

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I rise today on the very sad anniversary of the death of Dimitra Daskalos. She drew her last breath at Toronto General Hospital exactly one year ago. All deaths are sad, but some, like this one, are also tragic.

Her daughter, Maria, and other members of her family are here today because they do not want Dimitra's death to have been in vain. They do not want other families to go through what they have gone through, what their mother went through. Maria's mother was desperately ill and needed hospital care. She was treated as a bed blocker and her family was given a bill for almost $19,000 for her time in hospital.

The Minister of Health has publicly told us that hospitals aren't able to use threats of such bills against a family. Clearly, given that this is not the only example, the minister's word is not reflected in hospital practice.

Maria raised concerns about infection control and the risk of exposure that her mother was under and was turned over to patient relations. She has asked the minister to investigate, as have I. Failing that, she has asked that the government allow the Ombudsman to be given jurisdiction.

No more daughters should be forced to come here for action after their parents have died. Speaker, the minister must act.