Commentary
For the second time in months, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pleasantly surprised me with a file on national health care. The healthcare system is established as a sacred cow in Canadian politics. Many politicians will denounce the state of health care in the country, but few will think about changing the system itself. It does not mean that it does, but suggests that it is willing to support it.
In a CBC year-end interview with Rosemary Burton last December, Trudeau said: There is no point in spending more money on a broken system. ”
It was a bold statement from a prime minister who does not tend to speak frankly and clearly on policy issues. Trudeau didn’t try to retract his statement, and it’s clear he didn’t make a mistake. Not only did he admit that the system was broken, but his remarks could also be interpreted as encouraging states to start changing the system.
Prime Minister Doug Ford took the invitation very seriously and his proposal to change aspects of Ontario’s healthcare delivery model is supported by the Prime Minister.when I interviewed Susan Delacorte Speaking to the Toronto Star on the matter, Prime Minister Trudeau said: …I should say that some innovation is good as long as it complies with the Canadian Health Act. ”
The usual suspects went wild with Trudeau’s remarks. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said“The real question is, where does the Prime Minister stand if he says he intends to protect public health and allows this to happen in Ontario?”
Health care delivery is a state jurisdiction and the Prime Minister does not need the Prime Minister’s permission to expand delivery options, even if it is private. Singh’s stance and demands are unconstitutional But for opposition leaders who want to portray themselves as advocates for public health, it matters little.
All state health systems are currently under severe stress. Surgery backlogs and understaffing are common, forcing the prime minister to consider changing the system. The Health Canada Act only prohibits additional claims for insurance services, it does not prohibit the provision of private care. Every state has all kinds of private delivery options, from diagnostic services to walk-in clinics. It remains to be seen if there will be pressure from the system by expanding the range of private surgical facilities, but it has not violated Canadian medical law.
Besides trying to increase Number of private medical institutions To provide services in Ontario, Prime Minister Ford plans to introduce changes to the law that will relax rules on interprovincial movement of health care workers. The change will allow medical professionals moving to Ontario to start working immediately rather than enduring bureaucratic delays with regulated universities. While the move could certainly help address Ontario’s health worker shortage, it would also increase interprovincial competition for these health workers. It can be jerky.
Now for all the politics of it.
Why would Trudeau tread an issue that could threaten a governing agreement with Singh and lead to interstate battles over health care provision?
Ford has been very supportive of the Trudeau government during the COVID-19 pandemic while federal regulations were in place. Is Ford asking for Trudeau’s favor now?
It’s a strange alliance, but Prime Minister Trudeau may now feel obligated to get Ford back, and perhaps wants support from Ford should the next federal election come. It was interesting to hear them call it ‘Doug’ instead of ‘Premier Ford’. It means they have built a close relationship.
Prime Minister Daniel Smith has made no secret of his intention to make major changes to Alberta’s healthcare system. personal medical savings account. Will Prime Minister Trudeau maintain a do-it-yourself approach to innovation in the province for Alberta, as he has done for Ontario? prize.
Perhaps Trudeau is trying to end his coalition with the NDP. That takes someone to break the deal, and helping expand private health care options in rural areas could help make that happen. How can Mr. Singh continue to support a liberal government so far removed from the principles of the NDP?
For whatever reason, Prime Minister Trudeau does not seem to be a proponent of local healthcare initiatives, such as expanding private healthcare options. Canada needs to allow provinces to innovate, and let’s hope Trudeau’s uncharacteristic pragmatism on the issue continues.
Views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times.
Cory Morgan is a Calgary-based columnist.