Federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers have convened in Calgary for a two-day series of meetings, focusing on discussions around interprovincial credential recognition and funding agreements. In addition to these topics, Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel is expected to address mental health, addiction issues, and vaccination programs during the meeting.
The gathering aims to strengthen the collaborative efforts between the federal government and the provinces and territories to safeguard Canada’s health-care system, as highlighted in a statement from Minister Michel’s office. Alberta’s Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, will co-chair the meetings alongside Minister Michel and is scheduled to hold a news conference with her counterparts on Thursday afternoon.
Minister LaGrange’s office expressed interest in securing federal commitments to existing health funding programs and developing strategies to combat health-care worker shortages. Specifically, Alberta is seeking assurance from Ottawa regarding fair funding allocation for provincial pharmacare without mandating participation in the national program, a move already adopted by three provinces and one territory.
While in Calgary, the ministers are also slated to engage with national doctors and nurses organizations seeking enhanced collaboration between both levels of government to support and retain health workers. Linda Silas, the president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, emphasized the need for addressing workplace abuse faced by nurses and advocated for a cultural shift in the healthcare sector to ensure accountability for such incidents.
Echoing these concerns, the Canadian Medical Association released survey data indicating that physicians are encountering mistreatment from patients or their families. The survey findings reveal that a significant percentage of physicians have experienced bullying, harassment, or discrimination at work, underscoring the importance of creating a supportive environment for healthcare providers.
Although the survey indicates some progress in addressing these issues, challenges persist in ensuring a sustainable and supportive healthcare system. Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the Canadian Medical Association, emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to enable doctors to thrive in their roles and deliver quality care to patients amidst the pressures of an overstretched healthcare system.