QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Access to Health Care
May 28, 2025
My question is for Senator Gold. Senator Gold, the prosperity and security of a nation depend on the health of its citizens. Yesterday’s Speech from the Throne may have offered hope to some Canadians, but not to the 6.5 million who are without a family doctor. Health care, arguably the most pressing issue for millions of people, was not mentioned as a national priority.
This morning, there was a CBC headline about a 96-year-old Nova Scotian woman who has resorted to placing a classified ad to find a family doctor. The government’s election platform had at least a few commitments to improving health care. But yesterday’s Speech from the Throne did not include any new promises to strengthen or repair our ailing health systems.
Senator Gold, what is the government’s plan to address the growing health care crisis, particularly access to primary care?
Thank you for your question. It’s clear to all Canadians, and has been for some time, that all levels of government and all partners in the health care systems across this country must work harder to transform our health care system so it can better serve Canadians. The example you gave of the Nova Scotian woman is unfortunately too typical in all provinces and regions of this country.
We need to get more health care workers into the system, and all levels of government have to play their part. This government continues to play its role as a federal government to provide serious, direct health care funding to the provinces and territories to help in their efforts and responsibility to transform and improve the health care system for their citizens and residents.
I understand that the deals that were made with the provinces and territories target what matters most to Canadians: more doctors, health care professionals and nurses; shorter wait times; and, briefly, a better health care system for us.
Thank you, Senator Gold. I would continue to encourage the government to show leadership when it comes to health care.
In its election platform, the government committed to modernizing Canada’s health care system by launching a task force for public health care innovation. The task force is meant to invest in and scale up made-in-Canada solutions, improve data quality and ensure accountability.
Senator Gold, when will this task force be launched? How will its work be made transparent and accountable to Canadians, particularly those still waiting to access primary care?
Thank you for your question. I’m not aware of the timeline for that, but I’ll certainly make inquiries of the relevant minister.
