Commentaries, Sustainability

Our expert advisors have written opinion pieces on important health policy topics, published in leading media outlets across the country. We are making these articles available to everyone, free of charge, with a Creative Commons license, so that you may use them in your publication or on your website. See also our Commentaries in French.

Evidence is important to us, and we are committed to getting the evidence right — even when it can be interpreted in a number of ways. If you feel we have not represented the evidence accurately or fairly in these opinion pieces, please let us know. Browse our Commentaries by category, below, or view them all here.

There’s nothing like an American health care debate to make Canadians feel lucky There’s nothing like an American health care debate to make Canadians feel lucky
By Danielle Martin
We have built a sickness care system rather than a health system Our healthcare system designed for the convenience of practitioners, not patients
By André Picard
Canada has mixed wait time results in healthcare Canada has mixed wait time results in healthcare
By Robert McMurtry

Wait times have long been a source of concern for Canadians, and in some jurisdictions, remain a significant problem. Recently the Canadian Institutes of Health Information (CIHI) released their report for 2015. There is both encouraging news and areas in need of attention.

MCMURTRY_Putting-healthcare-on-the-federal-election-agenda Putting healthcare on the federal election agenda
By Robert McMurtry

A federal election could be called any time in the next few months, judging by the media coverage and the ramping up of political activity. Many issues have been crowding into the media headlines in anticipation of the election — but with a notable absence of any consideration of healthcare by our political parties.

Double Failing on Health Double-failing on health
By Joshua Tepper and Danielle Martin

Forty is the new thirty. Orange is the new black. And Failure is the new success.

It seems these days that no success story is complete without a failure (or two) along the way: the bankruptcy that gave birth to a successful company; the entrepreneur who lost it all just before hitting the Fortune 500.

MEILI_Growing income gap poses a health risk to al Growing income gap poses a health risk to all
By Ryan Meili

Certain Canadian commentators are bringing forth a strange critique of public health, suggesting that physicians and public health experts, charged with caring for the health of Canadians, should not concern themselves with the root causes of illness and stick to a narrow range of health interventions.

When is it ok for doctors to let someone die? When is it ok for doctors to let someone die?
By Charles J. Wright

The long overdue public, medical, legal and political debate on end-of-life care is now well underway in Canada. Medical journals and the general press are commenting regularly on the subject…

Quebec health reform Bill 10 puts Health Minister at centre
By François Béland

Quebec has begun the process of reforming its beleaguered health care system yet again with the introduction of Bill 10. But will Bill 10 fulfill its promises of reconfiguring the organization and governance of Quebec’s health and social services?

Voir clairement Seeing healthcare clearly
By Noralou Roos

I had cataract surgery last year — a terrifying prospect for a visual person. I love art and ocean views, and I was nervous about anyone working on my eyes. I delayed surgery a couple of times but finally committed. As it turned out, my surgery went fine. In fact, I loved that I could see colours vividly again. Our health system made that happen

Sexe, mensonge et effectif des médecins Sex, lies and physician supply
By Lindsay Hedden and Morris Barer

Among the many reasons offered for why many Canadians are increasingly facing difficulties finding a family physician to call their own is the fact that the workforce has become increasingly female. The argument usually goes something like this: female family practitioners work fewer hours, take time out to raise families and have shorter careers.


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