December 5, 2019 (Ottawa) – Today’s Speech from the Throne promised that the federal government “will strengthen health care and work with the provinces and territories to make sure all Canadians get the high-quality care they deserve.” Those words must be backed up by urgent and concrete action to shore up our nation’s struggling health care and health research institutions.
“Right now, and right across the country, hospitals, health care organizations and research institutes are struggling to overcome crumbling infrastructure while providing excellent care and world-leading research,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, President and CEO of HealthCareCAN. “A strong, innovative Canada needs a strong, innovative health care system.”
In addition to helping address the evolving and growing needs of Canada’s aging population, enhancing strategic support for health infrastructure will also help support a sector that remains a significant driver of Canada’s economy, generating more than 10% of the country’s GDP annually and supporting more than two million jobs.
HealthCareCAN has made several recommendations in our 2020 pre-budget submission on how the federal government can meaningfully lead transformation in health. These measures must be part of the upcoming federal budget as they will help address the capacity, funding and infrastructure challenges facing Canada’s hospitals and research institutes.
“For the first time in human history, digital connectivity in health care makes the real-time sharing of knowledge and information, interdisciplinary collaboration and the adoption of best practices across institutional and geographical boundaries a reality,” added Mr. Cloutier. “Yet Canada cannot harness technology and data platforms effectively in aging facilities. The national conversation to preserve universal health care needs to happen now and the federal government must show leadership; Canadians from all corners of the country expect no less.”
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare. We act with others to enhance the health of the people of Canada; to build the capability for high quality care; and to help ensure value for money in publicly financed, healthcare programs.
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Media contact:
Steve Wharry
Director, Communications and Member Services
SWharry@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 205 │ Cell: 613-761-8400
