As fears grow over coronavirus, MPs express concern over effect on local Asian-Canadian businesses
Despite growing concerns that the coronavirus is sparking renewed anti-Chinese sentiments across the world, several MPs who represent ridings with a significant proportion of Chinese-Canadians say constituents haven’t directly reported discriminatory incidents to their offices, but that it’s taking a hit on local businesses. Liberal MP Han Dong (Don Valley North, Ont.) was among the […]
Canadians stuck in China showing coronavirus symptoms won’t be repatriated, say feds
PARLIAMENT HILL—Of the more than 300 Canadians who have asked to be repatriated from China amid the coronavirus outbreak, none are exhibiting symptoms of the illness, government officials said Monday. In a press conference with reporters in Ottawa, Health Minister Patty Hajdu (Thunder Bay-Superior North, Ont.) and Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice-Champlain, Que.) said […]
Let’s work together to make pharmacare a reality: NDP MP Davies
In this minority Parliament, Canada’s New Democrats plan to push universal pharmacare to the top of the agenda. We are calling on all parties to help us fast-tack this long-overdue expansion of our public health-care system because Canadians cannot afford to wait. Today, one in five Canadians—some 7.5 million people—either has no drug coverage at […]
Through the lens of value-based health care: oncology care
Concerns are growing over Canada’s health-care system not delivering value for the money spent. Despite being considered one of the highest spenders on health care when compared to other industrialized countries that offer universal care, our system consistently underperforms on key measures, such as access and quality. The increasing and aging population is adding pressure […]
Experts split on best path forward for assisted dying legislation
With the March 11 deadline to respond to the Quebec Superior Court ruling that deemed a portion of the federal and Quebec medical assistance in dying legislation unconstitutional fast approaching, and a planned parliamentary review of the legislation in June, experts are split on the best path forward. “It is inappropriate to think about making […]
Nourishing body and soul: food and mealtimes in long-term care
WATERLOO, ONT.—In many ways, we have made great strides in food and mealtimes in residential care, and in other ways we have a long way to go. Certainly, there has been growing recognition they are important to all of us, including the most vulnerable in our society. In December 2019, the Ontario auditor general’s report […]
One simple step toward finding a solution for drug shortages
KINGSTON, ONT.—Drug shortages have plagued Canada since at least 2010. I am often asked what we should do about it. Pharmacare will be useless if drugs are not available. Many solutions are possible. We need an essential medicines list; others agree. We need to understand why we don’t start manufacturing the missing drugs ourselves. We […]
Cross-party cooperation can ensure success of Paris Agreement
Remember the Copenhagen Accord, the decade-old global climate agreement? Apparently no one in the Canadian government does, since it is never mentioned. Jan. 29 was the 10th anniversary of Canada sending its Copenhagen pledge to the UN. That included a promise to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020, the third climate […]
Will the government seek independent patient input on drug policy?
HALIFAX—In the lead-up to some form of national pharmacare, the Trudeau government plans to launch a new national Canadian Drug Agency as policy central for the regulation of prescription drugs. Accommodating voices from patient communities will be a challenge, because health advocacy organizations have long made competing claims across a wide chasm. I’m cautiously hopeful […]
Health Policy Briefing
