Mazza FIRED. Orgne in receivership
Moderators: Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, I WAS Birddog
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
CHCH just broke it, said the government just fired the entire board.
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YYZSaabGuy
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
From the ornge.ca website:
For Immediate Release
January 11, 2012
Ornge Board Accepts Minister’s Recommendation for the Appointment of an Interim President and CEO and Confirms its Intention to Resign
Announces the Winding-down of Ornge Global Solutions
Mississauga, Ontario – Today, the Ornge Board of Directors has accepted the recommendation from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to appoint a senior member of the public service as an Interim President and CEO.
The board determined that it is in the best interests of the organization to resign as soon as a transition to a new volunteer board can be put in place. This will be done with input from the Government of Ontario.
In addition, Ornge also announced that Ornge Global Solutions, a for-profit company is winding down.
Guided by a renewed commitment to accountability and transparency, Ornge will undertake a comprehensive governance and performance review on an expedited basis.
The internal review will supplement the audits currently being undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General and the Ministry of Finance’s internal audit team. It will be guided by three priorities: a commitment to caring for patients; significantly improving transparency and accountability; and efficiency and performance. Outcomes of this review will be communicated to staff, patients, and the people of Ontario.
“We look forward to working in cooperation with the new Interim President and CEO as he focuses on a comprehensive governance and performance review. He will work along side Tom Lepine, who will continue in his role as Chief Operating Officer, said the board. “We are also eager to return our focus to where it should be – delivering invaluable transport medicine services to the people of Ontario and saving lives,” the board concluded.
For Immediate Release
January 11, 2012
Ornge Board Accepts Minister’s Recommendation for the Appointment of an Interim President and CEO and Confirms its Intention to Resign
Announces the Winding-down of Ornge Global Solutions
Mississauga, Ontario – Today, the Ornge Board of Directors has accepted the recommendation from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to appoint a senior member of the public service as an Interim President and CEO.
The board determined that it is in the best interests of the organization to resign as soon as a transition to a new volunteer board can be put in place. This will be done with input from the Government of Ontario.
In addition, Ornge also announced that Ornge Global Solutions, a for-profit company is winding down.
Guided by a renewed commitment to accountability and transparency, Ornge will undertake a comprehensive governance and performance review on an expedited basis.
The internal review will supplement the audits currently being undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General and the Ministry of Finance’s internal audit team. It will be guided by three priorities: a commitment to caring for patients; significantly improving transparency and accountability; and efficiency and performance. Outcomes of this review will be communicated to staff, patients, and the people of Ontario.
“We look forward to working in cooperation with the new Interim President and CEO as he focuses on a comprehensive governance and performance review. He will work along side Tom Lepine, who will continue in his role as Chief Operating Officer, said the board. “We are also eager to return our focus to where it should be – delivering invaluable transport medicine services to the people of Ontario and saving lives,” the board concluded.
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Is Ornge global solutions a seperate entity to Ornge global air? Or are they one and the same?
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cdnpilot77
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
midwingcrisis wrote:Understand...they just leaned house. Complete board gone
Did anyone NOT see this coming? It was a matter of time and its about time! This venture has had a very bad odour since the get go! Hopefully the incoming board will do the right thing.
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
If history repeats itself as it sometimes does.These chappies will be back at the government feeding trough as high paid consultants before the paint is dry on the new signs over their old offices 
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Meatservo
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
" A renewed commitment to accountability and transparency"...
Just like I told my wife, I have a renewed commitment to stop looking at porn and leaving my socks on the floor.
Just like I told my wife, I have a renewed commitment to stop looking at porn and leaving my socks on the floor.
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I WAS Birddog
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Ahhh the power of the Internet...of it can take down dictators in Egypt...what chance does a greed dressed up in a power suit have.
Tax payers 1...Greed 1x millions. Let's keep this train wreck rollin'
Tax payers 1...Greed 1x millions. Let's keep this train wreck rollin'
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Who uncovered this mess and brought it to the public ?
The Star ? Whistle blowers ???
Who ever it was, I believe deserves a " Thank- You !"
The Star ? Whistle blowers ???
Who ever it was, I believe deserves a " Thank- You !"
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CL-Skadoo!
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
It was I WAS BIRDDOG. Send him a fruit basket.who me ? wrote:Who uncovered this mess and brought it to the public ?
The Star ? Whistle blowers ???
Who ever it was, I believe deserves a " Thank- You !"
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I WAS Birddog
- Rank Moderator
- Posts: 378
- Joined: Sat Dec 25, 2010 6:38 am
- Location: dude...I just walk the earth.
- Contact:
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Is it a coincidence that two weeks after my pic post of the ORNGE ad billboard did the STAR go deep to investigate this? Maaaaybe...CL-Skadoo! wrote:It was I WAS BIRDDOG. Send him a fruit basket.who me ? wrote:Who uncovered this mess and brought it to the public ?
The Star ? Whistle blowers ???
Who ever it was, I believe deserves a " Thank- You !"
Fnck the fruit basket and buy me beers
AND JOIN MY CULT!!!!!!
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Sad thing, my buddy was trying to blow the whistle on this place for over a year with no luck. Turns out he wasn't alone. A big thanks to the Toronto Star for spilling the beans on the corruption. As a tax payer I want my money back.
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
It took a long time to get this story out...no one would believe what was happening. Kevin has been digging a long time....
May 28, 2009
Kevin Donovan
It is interesting that the article with respect to E-Health hit the news, the same day that Airlines that supply service to the Ontario Air Ambulance system (Ornge) met to discuss Ontario tax dollars for what appears to be personal gain. Here is just a snapshot of what we now know:
In July of 2005 the McGuinty government appointed the “Ontario Air Ambulance Services Corporation” (now Ornge) to the following mandate:
“Increased access to air ambulance services in the north
One point of contact for the entire system with better co-ordination and quicker patient transfers
Direct medical supervision reaching every part of the operations, ensuring safe, effective treatment of patients
Dispatch and operations working together for more effective use of air ambulance resources
Improved awareness for health care service providers, of available air ambulance services.”
In the announcement, the Ontario Air Ambulance Services Corporation (now called Ornge) was to “begin working with the air ambulance system and the government to streamline processes and improve service co-ordination. The new organization will eventually control all aspects of the air ambulance system including:
Flight paramedics who provide front-line medical care to patients transported by air ambulance. These paramedics have the highest level of training and certification in Canada.
Medical Air Transport Centre which dispatches the appropriate aircraft and crew to match the medical needs of a call.
Patch physicians who provide 24-hour, on-line medical direction, to flight paramedics in the field via satellite phone. These physicians also help determine continuing education activities for paramedics.
Medical Advisory Committee which provides medical supervision and direction for all operations, determines protocols and standards for medical care, and evaluates and certifies flight paramedics. Provincial Transfer Authorization Centre which screens every patient transfer from one health care facility to another to protect against infectious diseases, and assigns special resources for high-risk transfers.
Emergency Medical Assistance Team, a mobile 56-bed acute care field unit designed to respond to a major health emergency anywhere in the province.”
Since the 1970’s, Ontario’s Air Ambulance aircraft have been operated by various companies under contract. With the McGuinty government’s announcement, full care and control of the Ontario Ambulance system was turned over to Ornge; a “not-for-profit” corporation that is fully funded by the Ontario government, to the tune of $100,000,000.00 per annum. The CEO of Ornge is Dr. Chris Mazza.
It is now clear that Ornge has taken it upon itself, with or without the government’s direct knowledge, to branch out far beyond the original mandate that was announced by this government. Ornge has evolved from the mandate of providing medic training, dispatch, coordination and medical direction to that of being our “competition”. How is it possible that the organization is to be our “teacher”, “regulator” and our “competition”? One answer is that Ornge is no longer just Ornge. There is Ornge Peel (?), the Academy of Transport Medicine, the Ornge Foundation, and Ornge Air (4384865 Canada Inc.) that we know of; who answers to whom here? It would appear that a system of “smoke and mirrors” has been put into place to hide from the public what we already know; Dr. Mazza is going into business. Government money funding a business in direct competition with the very Air Carriers that Ornge was supposed to administer.
Here is a breakdown of just a few things that we know of:
1. Ornge’s ambitions to go “into business” probably began shortly after the government’s announcement in July 2005 (if not before).
2. In the summer of 2007, Ornge issued an RFI which essentially asked “us” how to operate a business. When queried as to the motives of the RFI, their VP of Aviation stated that Ornge wanted to have an open relationship with the carriers. All carriers reluctantly supplied Ornge with the requested information in fear of reprisal. (the word “blackmailed” has been used) This information included proprietary information, operating costs, wages, financials, operating manuals etc.
3. On September 17, 2007; 4384865 Canada Inc. was incorporated as a “for profit” company, not long after the air carriers supplied this information. Dr. Chris Mazza is listed as the CEO. (This corporation is now using the operating name of “Ornge Air”.)
4. Ornge began shopping for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft shortly thereafter. They have sent representatives to the NBAA convention in Orlando “to shop” as well as several trips to Europe, all on government money.
5. Word did leak out about these acquisitions throughout the industry (aviation is a small industry) and when confronted Ornge vehemently denied that this was the case. Later they allowed that “yes” they were getting aircraft but that their operation would be tendered out to the industry.
6. Ornge has stated that they needed fleet renewal and operators could not afford new aircraft. (not true)
7. Ornge has stated that the operation of the new aircraft would be tendered to the private sector. (again, not true)
8. It was only after an email was mistakenly sent to carriers in August 2008 that detailed some of Ornge’s plans did they allow that they were in fact making purchases of helicopters. (a public announcement was made within a couple of days) Fixed wing aircraft were not mentioned at that time.
9. In the 2007 government salary disclosure, the CEO of Ornge made approximately $300,000 / annum while doing Ornge duties. His salary disclosure for the past year was no longer published….
10. In a letter to Ornge employees, the CEO has recently stated that they are projecting a $165,000,000 deficit by 2011 and that the only way that they could avoid this deficit is to find “new business”. New business is partly “our business” as well as getting into international repatriations. (the ground work is already under way)
Summary:
It appears that the CEO of Ornge has used public money (Ministry of Health $$$) to start up his own private company (4384865 Canada Inc.) and is now set to funnel all Air Ambulance contracts from “not-for profit” Ornge that he controls to this company. Who gets these profits? He has used this “guarantee” of work to obtain financing to purchase 10 aircraft, each at a cost of 4.3 million. He has used individuals paid by Ornge to start up this private company. They have taken delivery of four of these aircraft already with the rest to come soon.
How is it that none of this work went to tender? He is simply giving himself the work while at the same time, taking this business away from the current Air Carriers. Some Air Carriers will not survive.
In another meeting yesterday, prior to the carriers getting together on their own, a meeting was held by Ornge in Thunder Bay to have an “open” discussion on the future of Ornge. Ornge had their (full-time) legal council present as well as an “Ornge board director”, their head of their “Medical Advisory Board” from Ornge and the Chief Operating Officer of “Ornge Air”. The guise of the meeting was to continue to put on the “better health care for Ontarians” spin. When confronted that “Ornge Air” was a “for-profit” corporation controlled by Dr. Mazza it was very apparent that none of them knew of this (including their legal council).
The information outlined above is just that, an outline. We can provide dates, times, documentation, minutes of meetings including meeting held with Cabinet Minister’s assistants etc. We would happily agree to meet with you to discuss this in much more detail.
We look forward to presenting the “full story” at your earliest opportunity.
May 28, 2009
Kevin Donovan
It is interesting that the article with respect to E-Health hit the news, the same day that Airlines that supply service to the Ontario Air Ambulance system (Ornge) met to discuss Ontario tax dollars for what appears to be personal gain. Here is just a snapshot of what we now know:
In July of 2005 the McGuinty government appointed the “Ontario Air Ambulance Services Corporation” (now Ornge) to the following mandate:
“Increased access to air ambulance services in the north
One point of contact for the entire system with better co-ordination and quicker patient transfers
Direct medical supervision reaching every part of the operations, ensuring safe, effective treatment of patients
Dispatch and operations working together for more effective use of air ambulance resources
Improved awareness for health care service providers, of available air ambulance services.”
In the announcement, the Ontario Air Ambulance Services Corporation (now called Ornge) was to “begin working with the air ambulance system and the government to streamline processes and improve service co-ordination. The new organization will eventually control all aspects of the air ambulance system including:
Flight paramedics who provide front-line medical care to patients transported by air ambulance. These paramedics have the highest level of training and certification in Canada.
Medical Air Transport Centre which dispatches the appropriate aircraft and crew to match the medical needs of a call.
Patch physicians who provide 24-hour, on-line medical direction, to flight paramedics in the field via satellite phone. These physicians also help determine continuing education activities for paramedics.
Medical Advisory Committee which provides medical supervision and direction for all operations, determines protocols and standards for medical care, and evaluates and certifies flight paramedics. Provincial Transfer Authorization Centre which screens every patient transfer from one health care facility to another to protect against infectious diseases, and assigns special resources for high-risk transfers.
Emergency Medical Assistance Team, a mobile 56-bed acute care field unit designed to respond to a major health emergency anywhere in the province.”
Since the 1970’s, Ontario’s Air Ambulance aircraft have been operated by various companies under contract. With the McGuinty government’s announcement, full care and control of the Ontario Ambulance system was turned over to Ornge; a “not-for-profit” corporation that is fully funded by the Ontario government, to the tune of $100,000,000.00 per annum. The CEO of Ornge is Dr. Chris Mazza.
It is now clear that Ornge has taken it upon itself, with or without the government’s direct knowledge, to branch out far beyond the original mandate that was announced by this government. Ornge has evolved from the mandate of providing medic training, dispatch, coordination and medical direction to that of being our “competition”. How is it possible that the organization is to be our “teacher”, “regulator” and our “competition”? One answer is that Ornge is no longer just Ornge. There is Ornge Peel (?), the Academy of Transport Medicine, the Ornge Foundation, and Ornge Air (4384865 Canada Inc.) that we know of; who answers to whom here? It would appear that a system of “smoke and mirrors” has been put into place to hide from the public what we already know; Dr. Mazza is going into business. Government money funding a business in direct competition with the very Air Carriers that Ornge was supposed to administer.
Here is a breakdown of just a few things that we know of:
1. Ornge’s ambitions to go “into business” probably began shortly after the government’s announcement in July 2005 (if not before).
2. In the summer of 2007, Ornge issued an RFI which essentially asked “us” how to operate a business. When queried as to the motives of the RFI, their VP of Aviation stated that Ornge wanted to have an open relationship with the carriers. All carriers reluctantly supplied Ornge with the requested information in fear of reprisal. (the word “blackmailed” has been used) This information included proprietary information, operating costs, wages, financials, operating manuals etc.
3. On September 17, 2007; 4384865 Canada Inc. was incorporated as a “for profit” company, not long after the air carriers supplied this information. Dr. Chris Mazza is listed as the CEO. (This corporation is now using the operating name of “Ornge Air”.)
4. Ornge began shopping for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft shortly thereafter. They have sent representatives to the NBAA convention in Orlando “to shop” as well as several trips to Europe, all on government money.
5. Word did leak out about these acquisitions throughout the industry (aviation is a small industry) and when confronted Ornge vehemently denied that this was the case. Later they allowed that “yes” they were getting aircraft but that their operation would be tendered out to the industry.
6. Ornge has stated that they needed fleet renewal and operators could not afford new aircraft. (not true)
7. Ornge has stated that the operation of the new aircraft would be tendered to the private sector. (again, not true)
8. It was only after an email was mistakenly sent to carriers in August 2008 that detailed some of Ornge’s plans did they allow that they were in fact making purchases of helicopters. (a public announcement was made within a couple of days) Fixed wing aircraft were not mentioned at that time.
9. In the 2007 government salary disclosure, the CEO of Ornge made approximately $300,000 / annum while doing Ornge duties. His salary disclosure for the past year was no longer published….
10. In a letter to Ornge employees, the CEO has recently stated that they are projecting a $165,000,000 deficit by 2011 and that the only way that they could avoid this deficit is to find “new business”. New business is partly “our business” as well as getting into international repatriations. (the ground work is already under way)
Summary:
It appears that the CEO of Ornge has used public money (Ministry of Health $$$) to start up his own private company (4384865 Canada Inc.) and is now set to funnel all Air Ambulance contracts from “not-for profit” Ornge that he controls to this company. Who gets these profits? He has used this “guarantee” of work to obtain financing to purchase 10 aircraft, each at a cost of 4.3 million. He has used individuals paid by Ornge to start up this private company. They have taken delivery of four of these aircraft already with the rest to come soon.
How is it that none of this work went to tender? He is simply giving himself the work while at the same time, taking this business away from the current Air Carriers. Some Air Carriers will not survive.
In another meeting yesterday, prior to the carriers getting together on their own, a meeting was held by Ornge in Thunder Bay to have an “open” discussion on the future of Ornge. Ornge had their (full-time) legal council present as well as an “Ornge board director”, their head of their “Medical Advisory Board” from Ornge and the Chief Operating Officer of “Ornge Air”. The guise of the meeting was to continue to put on the “better health care for Ontarians” spin. When confronted that “Ornge Air” was a “for-profit” corporation controlled by Dr. Mazza it was very apparent that none of them knew of this (including their legal council).
The information outlined above is just that, an outline. We can provide dates, times, documentation, minutes of meetings including meeting held with Cabinet Minister’s assistants etc. We would happily agree to meet with you to discuss this in much more detail.
We look forward to presenting the “full story” at your earliest opportunity.
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oldncold
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
read me posts re presentations re ornge .
to those who have not been aware i will reinterate . a fellow co-worker wrote the rif for the ornge medical and aircraft requirements fixed wing which was accepted as the standard on behalf of the company owner . J. N. you did a Great Job!! only to be burned by manza along with several others. manza was so sociaopathic that he screwed many that where initially there to help the province deliver better air transport outcomes.. at reduced cost// all with the end game of funding a multi million $$ empire with no personal capital as would be the norm in a for profit biz..
to my fellow aviators , many which used to work for the private company and now work for ornge, you all have my deep respect for the work that you do . That is not issue it is the screwing of the taxpayer that pisses me off and the self righteous pontificaton of those with in ornge that said that there is the only way to do med -vac in ontario.
to those who have not been aware i will reinterate . a fellow co-worker wrote the rif for the ornge medical and aircraft requirements fixed wing which was accepted as the standard on behalf of the company owner . J. N. you did a Great Job!! only to be burned by manza along with several others. manza was so sociaopathic that he screwed many that where initially there to help the province deliver better air transport outcomes.. at reduced cost// all with the end game of funding a multi million $$ empire with no personal capital as would be the norm in a for profit biz..
to my fellow aviators , many which used to work for the private company and now work for ornge, you all have my deep respect for the work that you do . That is not issue it is the screwing of the taxpayer that pisses me off and the self righteous pontificaton of those with in ornge that said that there is the only way to do med -vac in ontario.
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B_Boomer_54
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Like so many have said , until people start going to jail , expect more of the same shit.
I think this Mazza a-hole, should be labelled as a dangerous offender and imprisoned for the remainder of his miserable life. He screwed every tax paying resident of Ontario. Who the hell knows how deep this scandal goes. How about patients ? I am sure there are stories regarding services which were not provided.
Water board him a bit, then lock him in the same cell as Bernardo.
I think this Mazza a-hole, should be labelled as a dangerous offender and imprisoned for the remainder of his miserable life. He screwed every tax paying resident of Ontario. Who the hell knows how deep this scandal goes. How about patients ? I am sure there are stories regarding services which were not provided.
Water board him a bit, then lock him in the same cell as Bernardo.
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Saturday's story. Going after the government?
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/111 ... r-ago?bn=1
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/111 ... r-ago?bn=1
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
The timing of this may have something to do with why the Premier of Ontario has declined to run in the federal liberal leadership race.What should have been an easy win for someone that has won three elections and has a very large power base.For him to turn down what should have been an easy win.Means he might be running in Ontario again soon.If the official opposition get their acts together.
There is so much more to come out of this story......
There is so much more to come out of this story......
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markymarkl
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
The Premier of Ontario and his marry band of bandits knew WTF was going on folks! I can see it now the bottom of my tax bill will soon say--DEBT Retirement charge for ORNGE Mismanagement sorry bend over!!
VOTE Liberal --keep em stealing, sorry that should be flying LOL
VOTE Liberal --keep em stealing, sorry that should be flying LOL
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Driving Rain
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Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
http://www.thespec.com/news/ontario/art ... e-to-ornge
Ontario takes knife to Ornge
Axe falls on 18 managers as two senior executives leave
The axe swung at Ornge again Tuesday: 18 middle management staff cut, along with a charity program. At least two top executives have also left the building.
Interim president Ron McKerlie said it is being done “in an effort to contain costs and to redirect our focus.”
Ornge receives $150 million annually to deliver air ambulance service to Ontario. McKerlie, a deputy minister, was sent in by Health Minister Deb Matthews after a Toronto Star investigation turned up high salaries, executive spending sprees and delays in responding to emergency calls.
McKerlie said more resources must be devoted to the “front-line delivery of patient care.”
He referred to the “immediate termination” of staff from what he called “back-office departments.”
No names were provided. Paramedics and pilots are not affected in this round of cuts.
Many of the people let go were involved in supporting a group of for-profit international companies that the province recently chopped in an attempt to get Ornge back to its basic job of providing emergency services to Ontario.
Also chopped was J Smarts, the Ornge program that former president Dr. Chris Mazza created in memory of his son, Josh, who died in a skiing accident in 2006, the year after ORNGE was created. Josh was about to turn 15.
J Smarts, which was part of the Ornge Foundation (a charity), was set up by Chris Mazza to teach youth how to safely participate in high-risk sports.
Its mission statement describes the need to develop a “tool” that will help youth “ask the right questions” and decide if they are making a safe decision.
J Smarts was the corporate entity that briefly owned a high-end wakeboard boat that Ornge says was rarely used. At one time, J Smarts was to operate out of a large water-filled quarry near Guelph. Then it operated a summer program at an exclusive sports camp in Muskoka, and according to its website now offers speakers who will introduce the program in schools.
A well-intentioned plan, J Smarts is one of several ventures that auditors are now looking into to see if money and resources were channelled away from the core business — air ambulance service in Ontario.
Auditors are also probing a series of for-profit companies that are all shut down. The main company was majority owned by Mazza and received payments from ORNGE suppliers, including the Italian company that sold ORNGE its new helicopters.
Financial statements for J Smarts were not immediately available. Its funding comes through the Ornge Foundation, which, according to federal charity records, has $7.5 million in assets.
Also Tuesday, two top executives left their offices at Ornge headquarters in the in the Airport Corporate Centre in Mississauga.
The Star is not naming them until they have been given an opportunity to respond to questions.
One was a top manager who received an executive MBA at Ornge expense and the other was involved in the now ill-fated attempt to create Ornge International. One quit in disgust and one has taken an indefinite medical leave.
Meanwhile, Mazza, who has also taken a medical leave, is no longer listed on the corporate website profile of Ornge.
Earlier, the entire Ornge board was removed, and an unknown number of other staff lost their jobs.
Torstar News
Ontario takes knife to Ornge
Axe falls on 18 managers as two senior executives leave
The axe swung at Ornge again Tuesday: 18 middle management staff cut, along with a charity program. At least two top executives have also left the building.
Interim president Ron McKerlie said it is being done “in an effort to contain costs and to redirect our focus.”
Ornge receives $150 million annually to deliver air ambulance service to Ontario. McKerlie, a deputy minister, was sent in by Health Minister Deb Matthews after a Toronto Star investigation turned up high salaries, executive spending sprees and delays in responding to emergency calls.
McKerlie said more resources must be devoted to the “front-line delivery of patient care.”
He referred to the “immediate termination” of staff from what he called “back-office departments.”
No names were provided. Paramedics and pilots are not affected in this round of cuts.
Many of the people let go were involved in supporting a group of for-profit international companies that the province recently chopped in an attempt to get Ornge back to its basic job of providing emergency services to Ontario.
Also chopped was J Smarts, the Ornge program that former president Dr. Chris Mazza created in memory of his son, Josh, who died in a skiing accident in 2006, the year after ORNGE was created. Josh was about to turn 15.
J Smarts, which was part of the Ornge Foundation (a charity), was set up by Chris Mazza to teach youth how to safely participate in high-risk sports.
Its mission statement describes the need to develop a “tool” that will help youth “ask the right questions” and decide if they are making a safe decision.
J Smarts was the corporate entity that briefly owned a high-end wakeboard boat that Ornge says was rarely used. At one time, J Smarts was to operate out of a large water-filled quarry near Guelph. Then it operated a summer program at an exclusive sports camp in Muskoka, and according to its website now offers speakers who will introduce the program in schools.
A well-intentioned plan, J Smarts is one of several ventures that auditors are now looking into to see if money and resources were channelled away from the core business — air ambulance service in Ontario.
Auditors are also probing a series of for-profit companies that are all shut down. The main company was majority owned by Mazza and received payments from ORNGE suppliers, including the Italian company that sold ORNGE its new helicopters.
Financial statements for J Smarts were not immediately available. Its funding comes through the Ornge Foundation, which, according to federal charity records, has $7.5 million in assets.
Also Tuesday, two top executives left their offices at Ornge headquarters in the in the Airport Corporate Centre in Mississauga.
The Star is not naming them until they have been given an opportunity to respond to questions.
One was a top manager who received an executive MBA at Ornge expense and the other was involved in the now ill-fated attempt to create Ornge International. One quit in disgust and one has taken an indefinite medical leave.
Meanwhile, Mazza, who has also taken a medical leave, is no longer listed on the corporate website profile of Ornge.
Earlier, the entire Ornge board was removed, and an unknown number of other staff lost their jobs.
Torstar News
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Good to see things happening! It just disgusts me why it look this long. The scary part is how many other company's out there are doing things like this and getting rich off my tax money.
What does indefinite medical leave mean? I'm assuming it means they are still getting some sort of wage.
What does indefinite medical leave mean? I'm assuming it means they are still getting some sort of wage.
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
It means that he is one smart motherfaulker, and one other "executive" has decided to follow his lead.
They are now under doctor supervision and are "untouchable", untill it is determined that they are sutable to return to work; stress leave, and in this case, provable. Usually 6 months, free ride at 80% pay. Can't fire or remove, labour code, don't you know...
Take notes boys...take notes.
They are now under doctor supervision and are "untouchable", untill it is determined that they are sutable to return to work; stress leave, and in this case, provable. Usually 6 months, free ride at 80% pay. Can't fire or remove, labour code, don't you know...
Take notes boys...take notes.
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Why have no criminal code charges been laid
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
Mazza apparently did have a break down, but that won't last forever. Whats happened so far is only the tip of the iceberg. There are another 20 something auditors headed to ORNG to start sifting through the mess and I also heard the Ontario Coroner is investigating as well. 280 where did you go? You still want to defend ORNGE?
Re: Ornge-The truth is emerging (finally)
I can hear the document shredders over at STARS from here.
