Government and industry unfazed by U.S. delay of Keystone XL Pipeline
The Prime Minister says he’s disappointed and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty isn’t sure the project will survive, but Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver remains confident that the Keystone XL pipeline will be approved and Alberta’s oil sands industry will continue to expand. “I do believe that Keystone will in fact be approved,” Natural Resources […]
Oliver slips into hot seat, limelight
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver may be a first-time MP, but he’s become one of the most high-profile ministers in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Cabinet. With natural resources industries doing the heavy lifting in Canada’s economic recovery, the portfolio has never been more important. The U.S.’s slow economic recovery and delay of the Keystone […]
CRTC commissioner to step down, lobbying for post well under way
Once again, it’s time for a new head of the CRTC. The incumbent has signalled he is not going for a renewal and the lobbying for his replacement is well underway. Its one of the finest jobs handed out by the federal Cabinet because it is one of the most interesting and influential, and […]
Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee continues its hearings on 2004 Health Accord progress on Hill
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, chaired by Conservative Senator Kelvin Ogilvie, is currently holding hearings on the progress of implementation of the 2004 Health Accord. The committee began its investigation in the spring, and resumed hearings on Sept. 29 with the focus on wait times and accessibility. Christine Power, […]
‘I think it is a mediocre performance,’ says Postl of wait-times
The following is testimony from Dr. Brian Postl, dean of medicine at the University of Manitoba, before the Senate’s Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee on Sept. 29. The committee is reviewing the 2004 Health Accord. Dr. Postl served 11 years as the CEO of the Winnipeg Health Region and also authored the 2005 […]
Moving to modern IT a big cultural change in health care
In Canada and elsewhere, early investments in electronic health records were based on the promise and potential to transform health care, just as computers have changed so many other aspects of our lives. We’ve now passed the tipping point. Today, we are investing in areas with demonstrated benefits for Canadians in terms of access, […]
Health-care system is sustainable, but changes needed
The aim of the 10-year Health Accord, signed in 2004, between then Liberal prime minister Paul Martin and provincial/territorial governments, was to “fix medicare for a generation.” The accord was funded ($41-billion) with an annual six per cent escalator clause. The overarching goal was to provide health care to Canadians that they need, in […]
Harper government recognizes need to invest in chronic disease and aging now
Canada’s population is aging. By 2036, seniors will account for 25 per cent of Canada’s total population—that’s an estimated 10 million Canadian seniors. While Canadians are living longer, they are not necessarily healthier. Almost 90 per cent of seniors aged 65 and over have at least one chronic disease or condition with the top […]
Feds want to build a more sustainable health-care system to provide results for patients
Canadians expect their health-care system to be there when they need it most, which is why our government is committed to working with the provinces and territories to build a more sustainable health-care system that provides results for patients. We are committed to achieve this goal through a universal, publicly-funded health-care system and to […]
Federal public service cuts compounding stress on Canada’s labour force: PSAC
Recent studies show that stress and mental illness are taking their toll on Canadian workers. As the Mental Health Commission finalizes a federally-funded mental health strategy, the Public Service Alliance of Canada is raising awareness of the impact of looming government cutbacks on federal public servants. In an open letter sent to Prime Minister […]
