Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF ONTARIO

TO HOLD CONFERENCE IN TORONTO FOCUSING ON

EXPANDING ROLE OF PRIVATE HEALTH CARE

( May 3, 2006 , Toronto , Ontario ) – Dr. Douglas Mark, President of the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario (COFP), announced today that the Coalition will be holding its Annual Conference on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at the Westin Prince Hotel in Toronto . The conference, entitled Sustaining Health and Healthcare - Bold New Horizons , will feature a number of prominent speakers during the morning sessions, including Dr. Christian Constance, who will be presenting the landmark 'Asteroid' study; Dr. Jacques Chaoulli, who will be speaking about the monumental Supreme Court decision in Quebec last year; and Mr. Brian Shell, prominent labour and rights lawyer, who will be examining current legislation governing physicians. The afternoon will feature a panel discussion on private vs. public health care delivery. Panelists will include Dr. Brian Day, Canadian Medical Association President Elect Nominee and Founder of Cambie Surgery Centre; Dr. Edwin Coffey, senior fellow at the Montreal Economic Institute and Past President of the Quebec Medical Association; Dr. Irvin Wolkoff, psychiatrist, radio and television host and former board member of the Ontario Medical Association; and Dr. Humaira Khan, President and CEO of Medicor Cancer Centres Inc. The day will conclude with a presentation of a public opinion poll by Mr. Greg Lyle, Managing Director of Innovative Research Group.

Date:     Saturday, June 3, 2006

Time:     8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location:  The Westin Prince Hotel, 900 York Mills Road,

The Prince Ballroom (north side of York Mills Road,

just west of Don Mills Road ), Toronto

Programme

08:45   Welcome and Opening Remarks

Dr. Douglas Mark, President, COFP

09:00   The Landmark 'Asteroid' Study: Regression of Vascular

Plaque - New Tools for Assessment and Treatment

Dr. Christian Constance

10:15   Question & Answer Period

10:30   Morning Break & Exhibit Viewing

10:45   Winning for Patients and Physicians: 

The Supreme Court Decision

Dr. Jacques Chaoulli

Current Legislation Governing Physicians:

Pitfalls and Perils 

Mr. Brian Shell

12:15    Question & Answer Period

12:30   Lunch & Exhibit Viewing

13:30   Panel Discussion: Private vs. Public Health Care Delivery

   Dr. Brian Day

   Cambie Surgery Centre, CMA President Elect Nominee

Dr. Edwin Coffey

Senior Fellow, Montreal Economic Institute

Dr. Irvin Wolkoff

Media commentator and columnist

Dr. Humaira Khan

Medicor Cancer Centres

Mr. Brett Skinner
Director, Health and Pharmaceutical Policy Research
Director, Insurance Policy Research
The Fraser Institute

14:45   Question & Answer Period

15:00   Chaoulli Shifts Public Debate:

Implications of the New Health Politics for Family Physicians

Mr. Greg Lyle

  Managing Director, Innovative Research Group

15:30    Question & Answer Period

15:45   Closing Remarks

Dr. Douglas Mark, President, COFP

16:00   End of Programme

Full Conference Details (html)

Conference Brochure (pdf)

The Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario, representing front-line providers of health care, is a grassroots organization dedicated to the provision of top quality health care to the people of Ontario . We strive to protect the rights, freedoms and independence of family physicians of Ontario and to continually improve the health-care system. To learn more, please visit the Coalition's Web site at www.cofp.com.

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Contact:

Stephen Skyvington       

President

PoliTrain Inc.

Phone: (416) 985-2239

E-Mail: politrain@aol.com