Skip to content

Advocates work to put health care on the radar as premiers meet in Ontario

The post-pandemic crisis in health care has taken centre stage at the Council of the Federation in recent years as premiers have pushed Ottawa for more funding.
54a8221e3c776f22c7223f1893b85a1d26e9024442c0dd878368a1d12ba8f224
The premiers meet in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

OTTAWA — Health-care advocacy groups and associations representing doctors and nurses are in Ontario's cottage country this week, trying to ensure health care remains a top priority for premiers.

The post-pandemic crisis in health care has taken centre stage at the Council of the Federation in recent years as premiers have pushed Ottawa for more funding.

This year, there's a concern that staff shortages and long wait times will take a back seat as the premiers focus on trade and the economy.

The Canadian Medical Association, which represents physicians, is focusing its message on the health-care system's footprint in the national economy.

CMA president Dr. Margot Burnell says she will be stressing that healthy communities are essential to a healthy economy.

The Canadian Nurses Association, meanwhile, is working to convince premiers to harmonize their licensing systems to break down interprovincial barriers to labour mobility.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks