This particular issue is very personal to Jean Yip. As you may know, she lost her husband to cancer and was inspired to run for office after he passed, to finish the work he started in their riding while he was serving as a Member of Parliament. With regards to your questions, the Liberal platform addresses much of what you have raised. Too many Canadians had their care deferred during the pandemic, resulting in a significant backlog of surgeries, procedures, and diagnostics. But waitlists from before the pandemic persist as well. People are waiting longer for important services like MRIs and ultrasounds.
A re-elected Liberal government will:
- Immediately invest $6 billion—on top of $4 billion already committed—to support the elimination of health system waitlists.
- Negotiate agreements with every province and territory to ensure that Canadians who are waiting for care get the treatment they need as quickly as possible, and that the primary care system is positioned for the future and able to deliver the care outcomes that Canadians need.
Millions of Canadians face problems accessing primary care. We want to help solve this problem and improve Canadians’ access to universal, public health care.
A re-elected Liberal government will:
- Provide $3.2 billion to the provinces and territories for the hiring of 7,500 new family doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners.
Canadians cherish their universal, publicly funded health care system. A two-tier system would worsen access and health outcomes for all of us.
Liberals believe that innovation in health care comes not from letting wealthy people cut the line, but by improving and expanding our public health care system. We have opposed extra billings and enforced the Canada Health Act on provinces who have promoted this practice.
A re-elected Liberal government will:
- Strengthen federal powers under the Canada Health Act and the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act to deduct health transfers from provinces who enable extra billing for publicly insured services, in order to protect the integrity of our universal public health care system.
Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) system is one of the most important protections workers have. Yet, prior to COVID-19, as many as 1 in 3 unemployed workers were denied EI coverage. Self-employed people — such as freelancers, contractors, and gig workers — are unable to contribute to the system.
COVID-19 has taught us that having programs we can all rely on matters. We believe that if you work, you should be covered.
A re-elected Liberal government will:
- Move forward with a stronger and more inclusive EI system that addresses gaps made obvious during COVID-19. Based on the input received from consultations on the future of EI that are currently underway, we will bring forward a vision for a new and modern EI system that covers all workers, including workers in seasonal employment, and which is simpler and more responsive for both workers and employers.
Jean will do some research on the Taskforce that you have mentioned and will be sure to raise the points you have mentioned to the next Health Minister.
Regards,
Sacha (Team Jean Yip)