Persistence and Perseverance-Is This Enough?

We have been challenged about our motives if persistence and perseverance have real benefit in overcoming current healthcare inadequacies. A better question is how do we continue to ignore the inevitable? The science is indisputable. The politics are unavoidable, and the results are unacceptable. So how do we begin to make a difference?

Over the past 10 years or more changes in demographics as a result of an aging population. coupled with hundreds of thousands of new Canadians arriving annually, has necessitated the need for more trained medical staff in all disciplines. Fixing the system, beyond the status quo will require competitive compensation and benefits, and perhaps consideration for structural changes such as a modest degree of private sector involvement.

Rhys Kesselmen, Professor Emeritus at the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University has more specific recommendations he put forward this September. His first proposal focuses on the delivery of Old Age Security Benefits, overcoming constrained access to timely medical and long-term care. Next, he proposes revising the GST from the current 5% to the former 7%, and finally raising the inclusion for capital gains. These recommendations would raise funding by shoring-up current needs, but also creating an opportunity to evaluate and respond to other options, such as raising billions to go directly to Provinces while the larger proportion, available for federal revenues to address those needed reforms in the public healthcare system’s inadequacies and shortcomings.

Prepared by Gary Hodgins in response to The Globe and Mail articles, Saturday, September 10th, 2022.