I am a health and social policy advisor with One World Partners, based in Toronto and Midland, Canada. My work focuses on community-based primary health care, health equity and social advocacy, both in Canada and internationally.
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Contributing to health and social equity for a better world
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Why voting George Smitherman is "voting your conscience"
At the risk of alientating a few close friends, I have no problem declaring that in advance voting I cast my ballot for George Smitherman to be the next mayor of Toronto. I think George will be a fine mayor, assuming that the George that I saw in action as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and then as Minister of Energy and Infrastructure is any indication.
As opposed to the narrow and exaggerated characterization of George as the head cheese who was either complicit or asleep while poor eHealth spending was going on, the George that many of us knew as Minister of Health in Ontario was a man who was passionate and deeply committed; who invested in communities in an unprecedented manner; and who challenged all stakeholders within the health system to act more like a "system", and less like a cackle of self-interest groups. To a large measure, within the time he had, he succeeded. His firm demeanour came in handy and, yes, on occasion the tag "Furious George" was perhaps merited. But you always knew that behind that shell which, on occasion, would appear, was a man with deep commitment, passion and compassion. His actions made this clear. These are the sorts
Canada's Medicare system is sustainable, could easily be strengthened through public solutions
A scan of Canada's major political parties, including the sitting Conservative minority government, confirms that all have committed (rhetorically, in any event) to preserving our publicly-funded, single-tier, universal Medicare system. This, and survey poll after survey poll, demonstrate the unparalelled value placed on Medicare by Canadians. Therefore, all rhetoric being equal, Canadians should really begin to play closer attention to what actual investments in Medicare are being proposed by federal parties, in the lead up to our next federal election in Canada.Recently, several studies have raised the bar and the quality of debate around the future of Medicare, including a very compelling report commissioned by Canada's nursing federation. In the CFNU report, entitled The Sustainability of Medicare, authors Hugh Mackenzie and Dr. Michael Rachlis reveal with crystal clarity that any suggestion Medicare is or may be un-sustainable is patently false. As the two experts in health policy and economics put it, "based on trends in health care and Medicare spending, the sustainability crisis does not exist". But don't just listen to me, take a look for yourself! The facts are eloquently and methodically presented in the report, and all Canadians concerned about health care and our health system*Canada 2007-2016 - No reliable data existed during this period; See Conservative Party of Canada
UPDATE: Census Watch. Who supports/opposes the census decision.
As the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology begins meeting today to review the government's decision to scrap the mandatory census long-form questionnaire, attention has been focused on immediate matters at hand, and the immediate future impact of this census decision.
But suppose the government continues to dig in its heels; suppose it continues to ignore the tens of thousands of groups nationwide who have publicly opposed this decision, to say nothing of those who haven't taken the time to publicly voice their opposition; suppose the mandatory long-form is, in fact, axed in 2011. What then?Well, groups across the country have already provided scores of examples of the ways in which this decision will affect us. It will limit our ability to plan health and social services, develop education strategies, target business and employment strategies, and so on and so forth. But what about down the road, say 10, 30 or 60 years from now?In Defence of Industry Minister Tony Clement
I predict that most people who click on this post are saying to themselves either "yes, that makes 20 of us now!" or "what the #&!# is this guy (Scott) thinking?" With regrets to those in the former camp, I beg those in the latter to just hear me out.
As Canada's census debacle continues to unfold, I am prone to sympathize with Minister Clement on the grounds that I actually think he has been cast onto the stage by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to play a tragic role. And while I am wise enough to know that politics is often a contact sport -- one which Mr. Clement chose to play when he ran for public office -- I can't help but feel that the path down which his government has trod over the past year is not quite what he and many of his fellow Conservative MPs had bargained for. Don't misunderstand, I am enraged by and opposed to the government's census decision. But I am equally upset by what this whole state of affairs reveals about the current quality of our democracy, about the operation of our minority government, and about the depth of disregard for the Canadian public that is routinely demonstrated by the leader of that minority government. In defence of Minister Tony Clement, that is to say that I trace all of this back to the Prime Minister and those controlling the PMO.Keeping Up Momentum to Save Canada's Census and Our Healthy Future
UPDATES: Tories try Hogan's Heroes defence in census feud
Stats crash at the corner of ideology and reason
Long or short, Tories must retreat on census
Opposition vents spleen over Tory census bungling
July 21 (7:20pm ET) - Chief statistician resigns over changes to census
Chief statistician mulls resignation over Tory census changes
StatsCan head mulls future in census dispute
Clement accused of misrepresenting census impact
Placating Tory base on the census causes Harper government grief
U.S. tested, then scrapped voluntary census
PM's census policy senseless, but great for the party
On July 14, an urgent letter and signed petition were sent to Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and Industry Minister, Tony Clement (click link to see letter), calling for the Canadian government to reverse its decision to eliminate the mandatory long-form questionnaire in the 2011 Canada Census. If it stands, this decision by the federal government (which was not opened up to public or parliamentary input) could set Canada back a decade or more in social and economic development. The decision has been opposed, nationally, by a growing number of civic, business and research groups ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM. Among these are the Canadian Economics Association, the Canadian Institute for Research on Public Policy, The Statisticians Society of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Municipalities and TD Bank's Chief Economist.
This is not about partisan politics; it is about grounding our country’s future in information and evidence rather than mere ideology. But our work is not done. It is critical that Canadians keep up this momentum. In order to get the Canadian government to reverse its decision, we must:
The Ten Minute Canada Challenge
If you can spare ten minutes today for a Strong and Healthy Canada (hey, you're already reading this!), then here's my three-part recipe:
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PART 1: Three minutes to read this short post.
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PART 2: Four minutes and a few 'mouse clicks' to show that you believe public policy and spending in Canada should be grounded in evidence, not mere ideology.
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PART 3: Three more minutes to encourage your colleagues, friends and family to do the same.
PART 1: Just what am I talking about? I am referring here to the Government of Canada's recent declaration of its plan to eliminate the "Long Form Questionnaire" from the 2011 Canada Census.At the Intersection of Health and Disjointed Policy in Canada, Can We Move Forward?
A July 5th Opinion piece from the Executive Directors of two community health and social service agencies in the City of Toronto provides a poignant example of how dis-jointed policy, and a lack of population health coordination and planning in Canada, are undermining the well-being of families and communities across the country. The particular focus of the Opinion piece is the City of Toronto's "welcome program", which ostensibly provides a fee waiver for individuals and families wishing to access local, community centre recreation programs, but who fall below the poverty line.Monty Python Alive and Well, Coordinating New UK Health Equity Strategy
Were there any doubt that the mythic Flying Circus is alive and flourishing, a recent series of events might suggest otherwise. One need only look at the handprints connecting UK Chancellor George Osborne's June 22nd emergency budget, and a new report released on July 2nd by the National Audit Office (NAO), to see the indelible fingerprints of the famous comic troupe. Surely, only a gaggle of geniuses such as them could have timed such a splendidly ironic, comic series of events.
G20 Agreements - What Do They Mean to Our Health and Wellbeing?
UPDATE (June 29): Important presentation by Naomi Klein. PLEASE SHARE!
ORIGINAL BLOG POST
In the aftermath of the G20 Summit here in Toronto, the lion's share of attention continues to focus on the confrontation between summit protestors, a small band of violent hooligans, and police authorities. Thankfully, the tides appear to slowly be turning toward a more balanced, reasoned and fair consideration of these events and their impact on the city and its residents. And, calls for Canadian governments at all levels to account for many of the weekend's misdeeds have been growing quickly, including a call for a formal inquiry into the G20 Summit.
What G20 Leaders Will Not See in Toronto
This video from the Toronto Star provides images and stories from the "Toronto" that G20 leaders and international media are unlikely to see. Below the video are some statistics and points of information that might surprise many non-Canadians and Canadians alike.
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As of 2009 Canada ranked 18th out of 30 wealthy (OECD) countries in terms of equitable income distribution
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Canada has the 2nd highest increase in income inequality among OECD countries, from the mid-1990s to mid-2000s
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Canada has the 12th highest overall poverty rate among the world's 30 wealthy (OECD) countries, and 10th highest child poverty rate
New Comparison of National Health Care Systems Points to More of What We Already Know. So What's Missing?
The US-based Commonwealth Fund today released its fourth in a series of reports comparing the United States health care system to others around the world; in this case, those of Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. As with past reports (2004, 2006, 2007), the basic finding of the report is that despite spending considerably more on health care, the US health care system consistently underperforms in most areas. The most notable of these is in the area of access and equity.
Honouring National Aboriginal Day in a Spirit of Global (Health) Equity
Since 1996, when it was first inaugurated, June 21st has marked National Aboriginal Day in Canada, a day to recognize, honour and celebrate the history, cultures and future of this land's indigenous peoples (First Nations and Inuit) and Métis people. In 2010, as in past years, this day has settled on me, personally, as one of deep contradictions, dis-connects, and mixed emotions. This year, however, these contradictions and emotions are amplified, with near paralyzing effect. I'll try to explain why...if you'll indulge my effort to expose a complex web of events and inter-connections that defies easy description.
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Scott Wolfe's Posterous
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I am a health and social policy advisor with One World Partners, based in Toronto and Midland, Canada. My work focuses on community-based primary health care, health equity and social advocacy, both in Canada and internationally.
