Ontario seeks to tie hospital CEO salaries with performance targets

TORONTO, Ont. - The McGuinty Liberals want to put patients first by holding health care providers and executives accountable.

The province is seeking to tie the salaries of hospital CEOs to the institution's performance.

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews introduced the "Excellent Care For All" bill in the legislature, Monday afternoon.

She gave the media and hospital staff a preview during a news conference at Toronto General Hospital.

Matthews said the proposed legislation would make health care providers and executives accountable for improving patient care.

"This strengthens the role of the board by making them responsible not just for the fiscal health of the organization, but for the quality of the services performed," Matthews said.

She said a portion of a CEO's pay will be based on the hospital's performance.

"This is not in addition to what their compensation already is, it will be part of their compensation," Matthews said.

Hospital boards would also have to create quality committees and annual improvement plans.

The proposed bill has the support of the province's doctors and nurses.