Ep. 308: Why is healthcare in Canada on trial?
Guest: Joanna Baron, Canadian Constitution Foundation
On one side is Dr. Brian Day of the Cambie Surgery Centre who says, “Canadians are being denied timely access to the health care they need and deserve because the system does not allow citizens to pay for treatment.”
On the other side is the Government of British Columbia and interveners such as Canadian Doctors for Medicare. CDM Board Member Rupinder Brar is quoted in the Globe and Mail as saying, “The case could set a precedent. I think all Canadians should be very concerned because it’s in the very fabric of who we are as a nation that we provide care for one another when we need it.”
Interestingly, the Canadian Constitution Foundation agrees with Dr. Brar on two points – one that will be precedent-setting – and as Executive Director Joanna Baron says, “We do need to provide care for one another when we need it! And that’s the fundamental point. Sadly, that isn’t the case because the system isn’t working. If Cambie Surgery and Dr. Day are successful, then and only then will Canadians have access to the care they need when they need it.” The CCF has also filed a case with the Government of BC to reveal the legal cost of arguing the case. The Government has refused to do so despite being ordered to disclose the costs by its own Privacy Commissioner.
We invited Joanna Baron of the CCF to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the healthcare court case that will determine access to medical services in Canada.
