The wrong people are being asked to pay for Canada’s crisis in health care
Friday, February 6th, 2026
Starting on May 1, 2026, beneficiaries [of the Interim Federal Health Program(IFHP)]such as asylum seekers and refugees will be required to copay 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental health benefits, in addition to a $4 for every prescription filled or renewed… This also applies to dental care, physiotherapy, and mental health treatment. For refugees, these services are not optional; they are essential, and paying 30 per cent of their cost is simply not feasible.
Tags: Health, immigration, participation, standard of living
Posted in Inclusion Policy Context | No Comments »
Feds revive bill to build digitally connected health data systems for patients, providers
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Canada’s health data system is “fragmented and siloed” and incomplete health records can compromise patient care and safety… If passed, the legislation would establish standards that companies developing electronic medical records must follow, allowing data to be shareable between health-care providers and across provinces and territories… “Canada’s diversity and single-payer model has created one of the most valuable health data sets on Earth,”
Tags: Health, jurisdiction, mental Health, pharmaceutical
Posted in Health Policy Context | No Comments »
Finally Mark Carney delivers a breakthrough for Canadians asking for help. Will it be enough?
Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
The federal government recently announced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), an income support designed to help Canadians afford the basics of life. For millions of people struggling to put food on the table, this announcement will mean immediate relief… it treats hunger as a policy problem rather than a charitable one… Ultimately, Canada’s food insecurity crisis isn’t caused by a shortage of food; it’s caused by a lack of income.
Tags: featured, ideology, philanthropy, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Policy Context | No Comments »
Carney government replacing Islamophobia and antisemitism envoys with advisory council
Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
The council on “Rights, Equality and Inclusion” will be made up of Canadian academics, experts and community leaders “with a mission to foster social cohesion, rally Canadians around shared identity, combat racism and hate in all their forms, and help guide the efforts of the Government of Canada… “Disagreement is legitimate, harmful or abusive conduct, including disinformation, is not.”
Tags: crime prevention, jurisdiction, multiculturalism, participation, rights
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
I don’t have dental insurance. Do I qualify for the federal government’s dental care plan?
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
For Canadians whose annual income is between $80,000 and $89,999, the CDCP will cover 40 per cent of eligible oral health-care services; for those in the $70,000 to $79,999 range, the plan covers 60 per cent, and those whose income is less than $70,000 receive 100 per cent coverage. You can see exactly what’s covered on the government of Canada’s website. In many cases you will have a co-payment based on your adjusted family net income.
Tags: Health, jurisdiction, participation, poverty, standard of living, tax
Posted in Inclusion Delivery System | No Comments »
We’re already facing the consequences of two-tier health care. Doug Ford is opening the door to make it even worse
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
… the door is now wide open to a major expansion of for-profit health care thanks to Ontario’s Bill 60. The bill contains no obvious limits on outsourcing publicly funded health services to the private sector… While reducing wait times is a goal we all share, funding private, for-profit expansion while publicly funded operating rooms sit underused and nurses remain unavailable is not the solution.
Tags: budget, Health, ideology, jurisdiction, privatization, standard of living
Posted in Health Policy Context | No Comments »
The hoarded wealth of the superrich can do more good in the public’s hands, so let’s tax it: a book excerpt
Sunday, January 18th, 2026
… the wealthiest one per cent of Canadians increased their share of total Canadian wealth from 18 per cent to 26 per cent between 2010 and 2019, while the share of wealth owned by every other income group in Canada declined… while Canadians at almost every income level pay a substantial portion of their incomes in tax, billionaires do not… a wealth tax… could raise billions of dollars that could create a better-functioning democracy with a more hopeful, well-nourished and empowered citizenry.
Tags: economy, featured, ideology, standard of living, tax
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
B.C. to end drug decriminalization project, after ‘challenging’ three-year-experiment
Friday, January 16th, 2026
The program was pitched with the goal to “reduce stigma and fear of criminal prosecution that prevents people from reaching out for help, including medical assistance.” But a furor ensued over claims that the program was encouraging public drug use in playgrounds and other inappropriate places… we continue… adding treatment and recovery beds… intervention and supports… harm reduction services and undertaking everything that we can to save lives,”
Tags: Health, jurisdiction, mental Health
Posted in Health Debates | No Comments »
Ford government says 300,000 more people have access to primary care
Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
… Jones said the targets can be achieved through the increase in primary care teams, expansion of residency programs for Ontario-trained doctors and making it easier for foreign-educated physicians to practice here… the province is also adding 340 undergraduate seats and 551 postgraduate positions in medical schools over five years and many family doctors are taking on more patients… through the primary care teams.
Tags: featured, Health
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »
Reducing Ontario health care waits: Six solutions avoiding privatization pitfalls
Friday, January 9th, 2026
Canada has long been among the worst performers on specialist wait times in high income countries… Every dollar Ontario shifts to private medicine is a dollar not spent on public health-care… Four of these six fixes leverage technology Ontario already owns. Each would reduce misery, lower wait times and save lives. Refusing to act isn’t caution — it’s complicity. Wait times aren’t a matter of shortage, they’re a policy choice
Tags: Health, rights, standard of living
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »
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