Canada’s investments in health, training too valuable to treat like paper clips
Imagine you have to decide whether it’s worthwhile to fund a government program to provide early intervention for psychosis The program is expensive. Setting it up requires establishing treatment protocols, organizing special teams and services, and a myriad of other costs. And the hospital-based treatment itself is costly. But consider the benefits: aside from saving […]
Pharmacare should be No. 1 priority for Trudeau this Parliament, says former Liberal health minister
As the Liberal government continues deliberating over cabinet positions and preparing for a minority government, the NDP has come out with a bold proclamation on its plans and goals for the 43rd Parliament, with pharmacare taking centre stage. Ujjal Dosanjh, a former premier of British Columbia and health minister under Paul Martin’s Liberal government, said […]
Now that the election is over, stop the digital services tax
Canadians have returned Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party to government, albeit without either a majority of the House of Commons or a plurality of the popular vote. Mr. Trudeau will therefore have to work with other parties in order to get the votes needed for any new initiatives to pass. One of the priorities […]
Feds have role to play in modernizing Canada’s health-care systems
Health care is a provincial responsibility. A national role in health care would have been incomprehensible to our founders, as health care was delivered locally in 1867 by caregivers who physically visited their patients. This delivery method has changed dramatically in recent times, creating a legitimate national role for the federal government to push forward […]
Trudeau government gives stronger role to federal intervention in health care
Canada’s “Fathers of Confederation” were men of their time, which is why, among other things, “health” was not seen as a primary responsibility for governments, and certainly not the Dominion (federal) government. This is not surprising, given that at the time, medical care was not particularly effective nor sought after, and health and social matters […]
Ottawa needs to look at other trade options in the Middle East
With the federal elections behind us, it’s time to reexamine how the Liberal government has handled Canada’s business and trade relations with the oil-rich, Gulf Arab states. When Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland publicly denounced Saudi crackdowns on its civil right activists last year, Riyadh reacted furiously. It suspended diplomatic ties, stopped future trade and […]
What’s the future for Canadian international development policy?
While not a headline grabber during this election campaign, current Canadian international development policy and its future direction are critically to the future well-being of this country. International development is clearly linked to how we see our role in uplifting and supporting less developed nations and those emerging from war and conflict. While a dollar […]
Value-based health care: time to focus on outcomes, not outputs
Universal pharmacare, or universal public coverage of medications, was highlighted by some parties during the election as a way to lower costs. Indeed, all Canadians should have access to necessary medications. Yet the extent to which universal public coverage of medicines can reduce the financial burden is only speculation at this point. In terms of […]
Canadian health-care system needs a ‘most responsible politician’
The concept of the “most responsible physician” (or MRP) is an old one. It helps establish who is ultimately responsible for overseeing the care of an admitted patient, ensuring that no one falls through a health service gap due to unclear jurisdictions. Whether the MRP is a doctor, nurse practitioner, or anyone else, the key […]
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