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Modern society depends on robust and resilient critical infrastructure. Our health system relies on energy, water, transport, information and communications technology, and other services, just as those sectors depend on essential services from health organizations and providers. Interdependencies within and between sectors are becoming increasingly complex. The rate and severity of natural disasters is also increasing, as is our overall connectivity and dependence on information and communication technologies.
Understanding and mitigating risks posed by potential hazards is essential to the resilience of our critical infrastructure. This requires an integrated perspective since vulnerabilities in one area can have cascading effects across organizational boundaries, sectors, and borders.
Decreased ability to respond to disasters (e.g. extreme weather)
Increased probability of accidents or hazards (e.g. hospital-acquired infections)
Inability to deploy clean energy solutions
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed serious weaknesses and gaps in our patchwork Canadian health system. However, the COVID-19 crisis has also given us the unique opportunity to see how best to rebuild our system to better meet current challenges and those sure to come. For the federal government, Wednesday’s Speech from the Throne provides an important opportunity to increase support for health care infrastructure, a move that will have a significant, positive, and long-lasting impact on the health of Canadians.
This article reviews perceptions of Canada’s public and health professionals regarding access and quality of healthcare. Principal data sources were 13 sequential Health Care in Canada (HCIC) surveys, from 1998 to 2018. A persistent and growing issue in all regions of the country is concern around timely access to care. This concern about timely access involves all major components of healthcare delivery and is anticipated to worsen. Sub-optimal access continues to undermine quality of care.
Improving the Health, Economic and Environmental Impact, Resilience and Sustainability of Canada’s Hospitals through Green Infrastructure
It is estimated that Canadian hospitals account for 8% of public green-house gas emissions and 11% of total public energy consumption. We believe it is time for Canada to join the movement and include hospital considerations in its sustainable development, green infrastructure and climate change agenda.
Investing Today to Meet the Needs of Tomorrow
With an economy in a state of flux and rising unemployment rates, hospitals provide much needed economic support and stability to communities across Canada. In many communities, a hospital may be the largest employer and can become an integrated part of the community’s framework. HealthCareCAN members alone employ over 600,000 Canadians. However, the state of infrastructure in our country is preventing our research hospitals from performing these essential roles.
There is More to ‘a Building’ than Building it
Review the evidence of deferred maintenance in Canadian hospitals and find out what deferred maintenance is, why it’s important, and what needs to be done about it.
HealthCareCAN Submission 2022 Federal Budget
HealthCareCAN's 2022 prebudget brief | August 19, 2021
HealthCareCAN Submission 2021 Federal Budget Consultation
HealthCareCAN's 2021 prebudget brief | February 19, 2021
COVID-19 Amplifies Health System Capacity Shortfalls
HealthCareCAN Policy Brief | January 25, 2021
HealthCareCAN's 2021 Pre-Budget Brief | August 18, 2020
COVID-19: Interview with our President & CEO, Paul-Émile Cloutier on health system preparedness
CBC News - The Current | March 16, 2020
First Ministers must come together on plan for Canada’s health system
HealthCareCAN Press Release | March 12, 2020
Green Healthcare: The Missing Piece in Canada’s Climate Response
HealthCareCAN's 2020 Pre-Budget Brief | August 15, 2019
Realizing the Canadian Advantage in the Health and Life Sciences
HealthCareCAN's Brief to Canada’s Science Review | September 30, 2016
HealthCareCAN's brief to Canada’s Innovation Agenda | September 29, 2016
Hospitals Building Healthier Communities: Investing Today, to Meet the Needs of Tomorrow
Submitted to Infrastructure Canada’s “INFRAconsults” for Communities | September 16, 2016
Submission to Infrastructure Canada’s “INFRAconsults” for Green Infrastructure | September 16, 2016
Creating a Healthier, Wealthier and Greener Future Through Canada’s Research Hospitals
HealthCareCAN's 2017 H10 Pre-budget Brief | August 5, 2016
Driving Innovation in Healthcare - An Engine for Economic Growth and Prosperity
Speaking Notes for 2016 Pre-Budget Meeting with Minister of Finance | January 20, 2016
Deferred Hospital Maintenance in Canada: There is more to ‘a building’ than building it.
HealthCareCAN | June 14, 2015
What are the winning conditions for Science, Technology and Innovation?
HealthCareCAN Fact Sheet | November 25, 2014