No health without mental health: words to live by
Today, in Canada, there are at least 1.6 million people living with a mental health problem or illness who cannot get the care they feel they need to get well. At first blush, the reason for this gap is as simple as a lack of investment. In Canada, we still only spend seven per cent […]
Europe-Canada trade deal’s investment court faces tough road, but ‘the mood is shifting’
The heavy lifting is done for proponents of the Europe-Canada trade deal, but the future of the investment protection system that fuelled the toughest opposition to the agreement remains up in the air. Business leaders are also concerned about how the government will fill in the details of the agreement with regulations, particularly when it […]
Does ‘pay more, get less’ make sense to you?
Like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, the myth endures that Canada has a system of health-care services that is among the best in the world. Unlike Santa and the Easter Bunny, however, both as benevolent as it gets, the widespread belief that health care in Canada is top-drawer is both wrong and an obstacle […]
Health-care reform is a fiscal imperative
Federal Health Minister Philpott displayed unusual candour when she said recently that Canada spends more per capita on health care than many other countries but gets middle-of-the-road results. Her “mediocre” label on Canadian health care could also have included “inefficient.” That should have ignited a discussion among federal-provincial politicians and health authorities on how to […]
Feds lauded for putting money into mental health
Only four provinces remain unsigned to a health deal with the federal government ensures some federal funds are spent on mental-health care, something many advocates are happy to see. British Columbia is the latest province to reach a deal with the federal government, which was announced on Feb. 17. “These historic investments will help improve […]
Here’s how health care should look in the 21st century
Canada needs both “top-down” and “bottom-up” leadership to create a genuine system to meet our 21st century needs for health and health-care services at a cost each province, territory, and the country can afford. Governments need to step up to governing, of re-vamping the “delivery system.” Doctors, nurses, and other providers have to find better […]
Ottawa must stop meddling in health care
Refusal to negotiate, ultimatums and threats: when it comes to health, the federal government behaves like a bully. But beyond the appalling attitude, what is at stake is of utmost importance. If health transfers don’t rise at the same pace as health costs, there is a real possibility that the health system implodes. In its […]
What does government do about men’s decisions costing health system billions?
Canadian men are neglecting their health and the government needs to take action for the betterment of the health-care system and societal health overall, according to people in the sector. The cost of men not making healthy lifestyle choices is costing Canadians $36.9-billion annually, according to a 2015 report by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, […]
Health negotiations need to go beyond money squabbling
Canadians tuned out the recent federal-provincial meetings on health care, dismissing them as just another spat over money. Instead of a national agreement, the process led to bilateral agreements with some provinces and suggestions that the discussion needs to move to the first ministers’ table. Without a fundamentally different approach, Canadians won’t be any better […]
Ottawa needs to invite indigenous people to the table to make strides on improving health care: advocates
The federal government must include indigenous people in discussions on improving health care, including ongoing talks with the provinces and territories about long-term funding, to make substantial progress on narrowing the gaping divide in health outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous communities, say advocates. Dr. Granger Avery, president of the Canadian Medical Association, which advocates for the […]
