For the first time, Ontario is putting some hip and knee replacements into private surgical clinics — part of a controversial push to move more medical care outside hospitals and ease wait times.

Premier Doug Ford’s government has approved licences for four such clinics, two in the Toronto area, one in Ottawa and another in Windsor, where services will be covered under OHIP, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones said Monday the new clinics will support up to 20,000 more hip and knee replacements and brushed aside concerns from critics that the plan — announced almost three years ago — will erode public health care.

“It’s not an either/or,” she told a news conference at the OV Surgical Centre a few blocks north of the legislature.

“There continues to be an oppo

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