With a few creative tax solutions, Canada could afford to increase its health care spending
Rhys Kesselman is professor emeritus at the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University. His research focuses on taxation, social policy and public finance.
A declining system poses risks not only to the health of Canadians, but to the survival of universal public health care itself, as more of the electorate may be persuaded toward a privatized system by this lack of timely access. One might ask why the provinces don’t simply raise their own revenues to cover the growing gap between needs and resources. The answer is that provinces are concerned about tax competitiveness and public reaction, which has deterred them from raising their taxes. Given its greater fiscal powers and the national interest in Canada’s paramount social program, the federal government is best suited to raise the funds.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canadians less satisfied with their access to health care than Americans: pollThe perception that access to health care in Canada is better than in the U.S., is being turned on its head by a new survey.
Read more »
The sad plight of classical LiberalsWhen the Great Depression hit, mainstream political parties in Canada embraced policies that were an anathema to classical liberalism: state welfare, higher taxes, deficit spending, government intervention in the economy.
Read more »
Lack of primary care a growing problem in Canada, poll showsThe second instalment in a study of health care in Canada asserts that the shortage of family doctors in the country is at crisis level.
Read more »
Lack of primary care a growing problem in Canada, poll showsThe second instalment in a study of health care in Canada asserts that the shortage of family doctors in the country is at crisis level.
Read more »
Opinion | Solving nursing crisis is key to public health care survival in OntarioSolving the nursing crisis is key to public health care survival in Ontario. Further erosion of our public health care system is all but guaranteed unless urgent action is taken, starting with addressing the nursing shortage. Opinion by NurseEnxhi
Read more »