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Pierre Poilievre’s attack on me is a symptom of a larger problem
Wednesday, September 4th, 2024
Poilievre’s referring to these sites as “drug dens” is callous and deceptive. These sites offer a lifeline to those struggling with substance use. The very same harm reduction programs that some leaders are targeting don’t only save lives; they also open the door to treatment and recovery… Instead of mocking, Poilievre and his team could benefit from experts to understand the evidence on the importance of supervised consumption sites as an essential pillar of a multi-pronged approach to address this public health crisis and to make our communities safer for all.
Tags: Health, ideology, jurisdiction
Posted in Health Debates | No Comments »
Are private health care providers breaking the law? Four doctors speak out on for-profit care in Canada
Saturday, August 10th, 2024
… the Canada Health Act, which specifies that medically necessary care pertains to care provided by a physician or in a hospital in order for provinces to receive their full Canada Health Transfer payments. The Act, which became law in 1984, is understandably silent on other health-care providers, such as nurse practitioners, or technological platforms that have emerged in the ensuing years… “… it’s absolutely horrible that people are being asked to pay for primary care especially when we see such a lack of support for physicians working in primary care through the publicly funded route.”
Tags: Health, ideology, jurisdiction, participation, privatization, standard of living
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »
This group of [Indigenous] investors is making major acquisitions in Canada. The results could benefit us all
Saturday, August 10th, 2024
… at least 111 Indigenous communities have obtained or announced equity stakes in Canadian businesses in the past two years alone… Wind power, oil and gas, solar generation and electricity transmission account for about three-quarters of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit investments… Indigenous ownership in projects mitigates land-claims conflict, reduces regulatory risks for all investors, and creates other spinoff benefits.
Tags: economy, Indigenous, jurisdiction, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
Out of work? You may be out of luck. Why getting EI is harder than it’s ever been
Saturday, August 10th, 2024
The program is running a honking great cumulative deficit because of the pandemic and improving access would mean hiking premiums or adding federal funding. Both options are no-fly zones for politicians these days… They have doubled EI sickness benefits, from 15 to 26 weeks; introduced extensions in EI caregiving and parental benefits; and added EI funding for training. But changes to regular jobless benefits have been temporary and targeted, despite repeated promises for deeper reforms. They’ve neither addressed workers’ needs in the 21st century, nor EI’s core purpose.
Tags: economy, participation, standard of living
Posted in Policy Context | No Comments »
Who wants you to believe taxes have risen 2000 per cent? Would-be Prime Minister Pierre Poilievre for a start
Thursday, August 8th, 2024
For decades the Fraser Institute has been using its ample resources to disconnect taxes in the public’s mind from all the benefits, services, programs and infrastructure that taxes provide… the effective tax rate Canadians pay has increased by 28 per cent since 1961… But… government today provides a lot more benefits than it did in 1961 — most notably, universal health coverage and old age pensions — major programs that have become essential to the well-being and financial security of Canadians.
Tags: economy, Health, ideology, pensions, standard of living, tax
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Take it from a retired judge, Premier Ford — here’s what you don’t get about our judicial system
Wednesday, August 7th, 2024
Every case needs to be judged on its own facts and circumstances. Every accused person has a right (not a privilege) to be heard. I believe the key truth you are missing, Premier, is the cornerstone of our system — the presumption of innocence… They are innocent until the moment a judge or jury is satisfied that the state has proven their guilt. Would you change that?
Tags: corrections, crime prevention, ideology, jurisdiction, rights
Posted in Child & Family Delivery System | No Comments »
Many more dentists on board to provide care under dental-care program: Holland
Wednesday, August 7th, 2024
… the increase is probably thanks to a change last month that allowed providers to participate on a claim-by-claim basis rather than registering in advance… If the program is to succeed, the government doesn’t just need all current dental-care providers to be ready to sign up. More professionals will also be needed to serve the nine million or so patients Ottawa expects will be eligible for the program before the end of next year.
Tags: Health, poverty, Seniors, standard of living, youth
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »
Canada has a hospital wait-time crisis. Other countries with universal health-care don’t. We should follow their lead
Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
In Canada, hospitals are primarily funded through what is called block funding… Under this system, any patient coming in is a cost to the hospital, which is then incentivized to ration care through long wait times… In European health-care systems, hospitals are primarily funded through an activity-based funding model… As every act of care is tied to a direct source of revenue, hospitals are encouraged to see and treat more patients
Tags: budget, Health, jurisdiction
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »
Nearly half of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed, a major new study suggests. Here’s how
Friday, August 2nd, 2024
We need policymakers to take a “population health approach” to preventing dementia… That includes ensuring equitable access to community services, such as group exercise programs, and medical devices… hearing aids, for example… Livingston’s team outlined 13 population-level recommendations for policymakers, addressing each of dementia’s 14 modifiable risk factors.
Tags: disabilities, economy, Health, mental Health, Seniors, standard of living
Posted in Health Policy Context | No Comments »
As for-profit health care expands across Canada, doctors are fighting back
Friday, August 2nd, 2024
… the Canadian Medical Association is calling on governments across the country to ensure medically necessary care is based on need and not on the ability to pay. This includes enforcing a provision in the Canada Health Act that bans making patients pay fees as a condition of receiving publicly insured health services, a practice employed by some private medical clinics.
Tags: Health, ideology, participation, privatization
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »
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