Improving health care is more than funding levels
Canadians benefit from a universal health-care system that provides access to high-quality care, supports positive health outcomes, and contributes to a healthy and productive society. Improving health care is an ongoing challenge and building on a strong foundation is critical. That is why our government continues to be committed to a strong, publicly-funded, universally-accessible […]
Refugee health advocates vow to fight on as government appeals court ruling
The federal government’s fight to relieve itself of refugee health obligations is far from over, promises a group that successfully fought the government’s decision in court. In her July decision on the federal government’s changes to refugee health care, Federal Court Justice Anne Mactavish wrote that “the effects of the 2012 changes to the […]
Focus on social determinants would improve lives, even if it wouldn’t cut costs
While experts are divided over whether improving a population’s social determinants of health would lower overall health-care costs, there is widespread agreement that governments should focus on this to improve Canadians’ quality of life. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which a person lives, and according to the World Health Organization, “are […]
Canada should look beyond Anglo-American models for health-care financing: experts
While many developed countries have been innovating in health-care financing, Canada has developed a severe case of mismanagement and a chronic lack of innovation in financing of the industry, according to several experts. While other countries that invest a similar amount in their health-care industries are working to get the best bang for their […]
We’re in an era of restraint in health-care spending in Canada
In the wake of new health expenditure data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the evidence continues to mount that Canadian public health expenditure growth is moderating. Moreover, adjusting for inflation and population growth, per capita provincial and territorial government health expenditures have actually declined since their peak in 2010. From a […]
Aging population could boost health care on agenda in 2015 election
In previous elections, health has not been seen to be a vote-getter, despite Canadians continuing to rank it top in their priorities or concerns, but this could change come the 2015 election due to an aging population, forcing the parties to find a place for health-care solutions amid the top planks of their platforms, […]
Biotechnology
Farmers’ seeds at centre of a debate over Agricultural Growth Act
Farmers’ seeds are at the centre of a debate over Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. Proponents say this will align Canada with its international trade partners and allow for more private innovation in food biotechnology, while opponents say it will restrict farmers’ rights to save their seeds and place ownership in the hands […]
Doctors, researchers consider Orphan Drug Act ‘mission critical’
Despite having a late start in helping people with rare diseases access orphan drugs, Canada is now exceeding and becoming a world leader in some aspects in this field, particularly in genome studies, according to some in the field. According to the government, a rare disease is a life-threatening, seriously debilitating, or serious chronic condition […]
Labelling GMOs about transparency, not health say advocates
Advocates pushing for the government to adopt mandatory labelling regulation of genetically-modified foods may have received a boost, ironically, thanks to a recent Health Canada study. On June 10, Health Canada released a report, “Consulting Canadians to Modernize and Improve Food Labels: What We Heard,” detailing what Health Canada has learned about Canadians’ priorities on […]
