Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews said that Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), which was criticized in an ombudsman’s report as it held illegal secret meetings, has improved its systems as compared to the previous systems.

She said in an interview that LHINs are relatively new groups and that is the reason why most of the people are unaware about its success.

PC MPP Christine Elliott said the measures of several LHINs in adopting a regulation that allowed them to hold secret meetings have raised the question about the validity of their decisions.

Elliott also said that along with Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN, there were similar regulations in Toronto Central, South East, North East, Central, Central East, South West, Erie St. Clair and Champlain.

“Dalton McGuinty must stop helping the LHINs cover their tracks. We are calling on the McGuinty government to immediately reinstate the cancelled legislative review, reveal how many illegal and secret meetings have been held at each LHIN province-wide”, she added.

Elliott wants LHINs to inform the public about what they were discussing behind the closed doors. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said that this action of holding secret meetings has tarnished the reputation of LHINs so meticulously that it would become difficult for them to retain the good image.