The Ontario government is proposing a regulatory change so public health officials can ask those who test positive for COVID-19 about their race, income, language, and household size.
The province said it would give it a more complete picture of the outbreak while maintaining patient confidentiality. The government said it would work with local public health units and other health care partners to implement effective policies.
Those asked can choose not to answer the additional questions.
The change comes after a call from NDP Leader Andrea Horwath who took up the cause of Dorothy Rodrigues. Her husband, Leonard, worked as a personal support worker in the Toronto area when he contracted the virus.
Leonard died after he was turned away from a hospital while showing symptoms.
"When Leonard got sick, the family experienced barrier after barrier in accessing appropriate care, and after his death, the trauma only continued," said Horwath on June 4. "We are not able to tell if this, the neglect from our healthcare system, is a pattern or a one-off because there is no data to support it."
"We recognize that some Ontarians may be at greater risk of COVID-19 infection," said Health Minister Christine Elliott. "Collecting these data will help guide decisions as work continues to stop the spread of the virus and protect some of our most vulnerable people."
The province is engaging with equity experts like the Ontario Anti-Racism Directorate and Indigenous partners.
The data will be available to researchers.
