The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has been extraordinarily powerful at setting health care policy. As the federal government prepares for its own budgetary commitments, the importance of the CMA can’t be overstated. The next finance minister will have direct control over a significant budget, including vital health funding. Key recent developments make it evident how critical advocacy is in this space. Notably, the government has canceled a proposed increase to the capital gains inclusion rate originally scheduled for March 2025, a change that aligns with the CMA’s persistent calls for policy adjustments.
Last example, let’s say that in March 2024, the federal government released a detailed proposal to raise the capital gains tax rate. It came as a surprise, then, when the CMA moved to vigorously oppose the proposal, just days later. They called for its cancellation, noting that its enforcement would undermine health funding. The CMA orchestrated a vigorous campaign to promote its recommendations. They lobbied directly with members of the Minister’s team as budget day grew closer. Their diligence has truly paid off. Just one week after being sworn in, new Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the tax increase’s cancellation.
The CMA has expanded the discussion beyond taxation and addressed more general public health interests. Since Canada is warming twice the rate of the rest of the world, this coalition makes the case that climate change is already harming the health of Canadians. They are calling on Minister Gull-Masty to bring back the Clean Water Act. We’re encouraging everyone to comment using this NRDC action, and for more details on why protecting environmental health is important to the public.
To this end, the CMA has been strongly advocating for a federally coordinated health human resource strategy nationally. This strategy is an important step towards addressing the entrenched inequities in our healthcare system. The association stresses having a coordinated national strategy on health human resources. This strategy has been a vital component to address the growing demand for medical care.
The federal budget has made unprecedented moves in the right direction to address health. It has committed $243 million over six years to compensate doctors and nurses for completing medical forms required as part of the process for getting a Disability Tax Credit. This funding will go a long way in reducing some of the barriers that Canadians have been facing while looking for help.
Political figures have equally put themselves in positions to affect health care policy. It’s great to see Conservative Shadow Minister for Health Dan Mazier walking the walk and making it easier to access healthcare in Canada. He’s calling for increasing licensing for internationally trained physicians. At the same time, Bloc Québécois Health Critic Luc Thériault persists in pressing his party to call for strong federal health care policies that sustain Canadians. NDP Health Critic Gord Johns’ reintroduction of the Mental Health Parity Act. This legislation is a step toward bringing community-based mental health services into the Medicare fold.
We are pleased to see the Liberal Party following up on healthcare access. Most recently, they have been touting plans to bring on thousands of new doctors from around the country. This is an important initiative to tackle the access-to-care crisis that has long plagued countless Canadians.
