Honouring resilience and reconciliation

Following the CMA AGM on May 29th, June kicked off with more than just a transition of the seasons, as we celebrated the instalment of our new co-President, Dr. Joss Reimer .

Owing to a change in the date of the AGM from August to May, the presidential terms of Dr. Reimer and current president Dr. Kathleen Ross are overlapping by three months. They will serve as co-presidents for the period of May 30 to Aug. 30, after which point Dr. Reimer will serve exclusively as president until May 2025.

Dr. Reimer, a specialist in public health with a focus on health equity, communicable diseases and harm reduction, says she's committed to creating work environments where physicians can thrive.

Creating safe spaces

In the lead up to Pride month, which began on June 1, we had the opportunity to talk to Saskatoon child psychiatrist Dr. Tamara Hinz about the barriers to transgender care amongst non-binary youth.

As some provinces in Canada put forward restrictions on access to care for transgender youth, Dr. Hinz spoke about the potential harm to these young patients, and how physicians can support them and the 2SLGBTQI+ community.??

Indigenous voices leading the way

June 1 also marked the beginning of National Indigenous History Month – a critical time to reflect on the rich history, resilience, diverse cultures and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

This reflection extends far beyond the month of June. As part of our journey of reconciliation, the CMA is committed to a formal apology to Indigenous Peoples for the medical harms to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

Our hope is that honest reflection on both the past and the present can bring meaningful change in health care and in the relationship between physicians, medical institutions and Indigenous Peoples.?

On June 14, Dr. Alika Lafontaine spoke about the history of neglect and abuse prevalent in the medical profession, the importance of recognizing truth and the hope we hold that this reflection will move us one step closer towards reconciliation.

Upon observation of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, Dr. Lafontaine spoke again, reiterating the importance of illuminating Indigenous voices in the medical profession.

As part of its path to reconciliation, the CMA pledges our commitment to ensuring Indigenous Peoples are always at the centre of their care.

Indigenous medical learners also experience unique challenges navigating Canada's health care system, particularly those who move from tightly knit Indigenous communities to large urban centres and struggle to fit in.

Such a massive transition can lead to isolation, which is why the CMA Foundation granted the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada IPAC $1 million to develop a national mentorship program that helps connect Indigenous mentors and mentees across Canada. As one Indigenous mentee Laney Beaulieu writes in this special feature, developing a strong connection has enabled her to "feel less alone."

Pushing back on capital gains

In April, the federal government proposed tax changes to capital gains that the CMA believes will be detrimental to doctors and exacerbate the ongoing access to care crisis affecting millions of Canadians.

In collaboration with provincial medical associations across the country, CMA submitted a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in early June, urging the federal government to reconsider and exempt medical professional corporations from a planned increase to the capital gains inclusion rate.

Emphasizing genuine concern for the future of Canada's physicians, the letter posited that if these changes are implemented, it will "undoubtedly add undue pressure and financial strain, threatening the well-being of physicians and undermining the stability of our health-care system as a whole.”

CMA President Dr. Kathleen Ross proceeded to argue this point in a letter to MPs, illuminating the need for a "carve out" and official exemption for doctors facing this inimical tax increase.

To the CMA's surprise and dismay, the federal tax proposal was tabled on June 11.

This was disappointing news to digest. The federal government's decision offers no consideration for physicians who rely on their professional corporations to provide much-needed health care services. Introducing new reasons for physicians to consider scaling back community based care is simply the wrong move.

Not only is this tax increase demoralizing for physicians who are planning for retirement, it impacts young physicians and medical learners who find themselves in a much tougher position given the current economic climate. This creates another disincentive to becoming a community-based doctor at a time when we need them the most.

Dr. Reimer further emphasized these points on CTV news, explaining how the capital gains tax increase is an additional stressor that’s going to push physicians away from the community practice.

"They may just think about leaving the country or not doing medicine at all, and that’s where we get really worried.”

While this decision shifts the tide for health care in Canada, we must remain resilient and vigilant. The CMA remains committed to working through this issue in a collaborative way with government to support physicians and prevent further deterioration of the health system.

Access to health data empowers patients

Despite this frustrating turn of events, June also provided various hopeful moments for Canadian health. On June 6, the federal government introduced legislation that will enable Canadians to access their own health data and require companies providing digital health services in Canada to adopt common standards and allow for secure information sharing.??

Moving to broad, nationwide connectivity will improve patient outcomes and their health care experience. This announcement is an important step in that direction.?

Health Care Unburdened Grant program

On June 17, in collaboration with MD Financial Management | Gestion financière MD and Scotiabank , CMA announced the recipients of the Health Care Unburdened Grant program – an initiative aimed at providing up to $1 million in grants to organizations working to reduce administrative burden for physicians.

CMA Presidential Election in Newfoundland and Labrador

On June 19, applications officially opened for the next CMA President-Elect campaign. We're looking for practicing physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador who are also members of CMA and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association with outstanding leadership skills and a keen vision to improve Canada's health care system.

Help us find that dynamic collaborator.