Canada's health care needs better access and more doctors

As Canada's federal election approaches on April 28, health care is a major concern for voters. Experts emphasize the need for federal leaders to address various issues in the health care system, including access to family doctors and hospital wait times. Currently, about 6.5 million Canadians do not have a family doctor. Experts believe the federal government can help by increasing the number of medical school spots and making it easier for internationally trained doctors to work in Canada. Dr. Joss Reimer, president of the Canadian Medical Association, highlights that access to care is the top priority for Canadians. In addition to physician shortages, experts like Valerie Grdisa from the Canadian Nurses Association point out the untapped potential of nurse practitioners. They can provide high-quality care, yet many are underutilized. She stresses the need for better support and incentives at the federal level to optimize the use of these practitioners. Health issues also extend to social well-being. Kate Mulligan from the University of Toronto promotes "social prescribing" to connect people with community resources that improve their health. With growing concerns about loneliness, she urges the government to invest in programs that address social isolation. The substance use crisis is another critical issue. Alexander Caudarella from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction calls for a long-term strategy to prevent substance use and focus on evidence-based programs. He believes addressing this complexity requires collaboration among all levels of government. Diane Francoeur from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists emphasizes the need to protect women's health rights. She warns that as reproductive rights face threats in the U.S., Canada's leaders must prioritize women's health care in the upcoming election. Finally, health misinformation is a growing challenge. Dr. Reimer highlights the federal government's responsibility to ensure Canadians access reliable health information to counter false narratives that can lead to distrust in the health care system. As these experts suggest, federal leaders must take concrete actions to strengthen Canada's health-care system during the election campaign.