Prevention decreases demands on the health system
Provincial ministers of health and ministers of finance seek to “bend the health care cost curve” but year after year, provincial budgets bend the cost curve in the wrong direction, adding billions of dollars to provincial health spending. In fact, we’ve doubled spending on our medical treatment system in Canada since 2005—and what did we […]
Liberals drawing up gun bill amendments, cannabis bill enters home stretch
At least one Liberal MP on the House Public Safety Committee is working with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale’s (Regina-Wascana, Ont.) office to bring forward amendments to the gun safety bill, C-71. ”I think there have been some discussions … between the minister, minister’s staff, and Liberal members, about amendments,” said Liberal MP John McKay […]
New tobacco strategy will need more funding to reach five per cent target, say observers
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor unveiled the country’s new anti-tobacco strategy last week with a goal of cutting the number of smokers to five per cent of the population by 2035, but observers say the lack of funding now offered for anti-tobacco initiatives makes it hard to meet. “It’s an ambitious target … but I […]
NDP health critic calls on feds to investigate drug companies over opioid crisis
NDP MPs say they want the government to investigate pharmaceutical companies any role they played in the opioid crisis. NDP MP Tracey Ramsey (Essex, Ont.) said on May 7 in the House that there are 37 families in her riding who have been affected by the opioid crisis, which she said is more than one-and-a-half […]
Not one more: Charlie Angus, advocates set sights on suicide prevention strategy with M-174
NDP MP Charlie Angus is receiving support on his suicide-prevention motion, but instead of voting on it immediately, he wants to delay the vote for about a year and drum up a national conversation. The last thing Mr. Angus (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) wants is another motion adopted by the House without any change coming as […]
Liberals failing to prioritize Canadians’ health concerns in an effective manner
When it comes to health policy in Canada, it is clear that there are more issues than funding available. For this reason, the government should be prioritizing public health responses specifically to the needs of Canadians. Essentially, what should become key priorities on this list are the health issues that are affecting us nationally. As […]
Drawing on rich traditions to nourish our children
Indigenous peoples are “Inuwak,” Peoples of the Land. We have a spiritual relationship with our mother earth; our food is from the land and is intrinsically related to our cultural and spiritual way of life. Food not only nourishes us physically, it impacts our mental attitude and is an essential part of many of our […]
Health Minister Petitpas Taylor says she won’t hesitate to fight marketing abuses from drug companies; mum on supporting surrogacy bill, suicide motion
With cannabis legalization looking all but certain, Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor may have a bit more time to focus on her department’s other sprawling responsibilities. There’s the opioid crisis, her newly-unveiled tobacco strategy, and supporting a growing population of seniors, to begin with. As scrutiny of pharmaceutical companies’ role in creating the current opioid crisis […]
As legal pot nears, employers pushing for drug testing law stuck at starting line
With cannabis legalization likely weeks or months away, some employers are still pushing the federal government to allow mandatory alcohol and drug tests in “safety-sensitive” industries, but Ottawa has given no sign it will touch their request. Bill C-45 and Bill C-46 address many aspects of legalizing cannabis—from pot production to enforcement—but employers see the […]
Health-care money belongs to the provinces
Health care is one of Quebec’s most important political issues. It is the biggest budget item, constantly in the headlines and an absolutely vital service relied on by everyone. The burden of the health-care system rests exclusively on the shoulders of Quebec’s health minister. However, we frequently forget that Quebec has one hand tied behind its back, because the Canadian government holds onto […]
