Now that we have a new Conservative Party leader, let's have a closer look at his health policy platform...
"[R]especting the fact that healthcare is a provincial responsibility" and the feds "should not be telling the provinces how to run their systems." Concern that this is code for allowing provinces to explore privatization and feds may not enforce the Canada Health Act.
"Augmenting international recruitment of healthcare workers." While Canada does need to work on recruitment, this doesn't even acknowledge the concerns with recruiting workers away from countries with fewer resources than Canada. See WHO Code of Practice: who.int/hrh/migration/…
"Diversifying our supply chains for critical supplies" like drugs and PPE. Depending how the gov goes about this, this could be a good thing. Drug shortages/shortages of raw ingredients have been a problem in Canada for years. For a brief discussion: theconversation.com/how-coronaviru….
"Speeding up the approval of new medications and health technologies, so that Canadians get access to life-saving innovation." This is an important issue but would have to be done properly or we risk sacrificing safety for quicker access. See eg: jamanetwork.com/journals/jamai…
"Convening a Royal Commission on the Pandemic within 100 days of taking office." Post-COVID review is obviously important, but this may duplicate efforts that will have already occurred by then. If a review is already complete, he should instead focus on implementing reforms.
Working with provs "to strengthen support for mental health across Canada." Whether this is a good thing depends on what the feds do. For example, we don't need Alberta's approach to addictions making its way to other provinces.
I will stay in my lane and won't comment on environmental, immigration, gun control, etc. policies. However, others have raised concerns in these and other areas, which affect health and the social determinants of health.
Protect "the conscience rights of all health care professionals whose beliefs...prevent them from carrying out or referring patients for services that violate their conscience." Removing the duty to refer is concerning and may significantly limit access to abortion and MAiD.
Reform the Not Criminally Responsible designation to protect public ensure "those who commit heinous acts do not escape justice or walk free after a short period of time." This may risk criminalizing mental illness and not taking rehabilitation goal of criminal law into account.
Toughen "penalties for elder abuse and broadening the definition to ensure that mistreating or failing to care for vulnerable seniors is a criminal offence." This is a very incomplete solution to the problems in long-term care.
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