Minister’s Statement – World Health Day, April 7, 2018
Statement
Today is World Health Day, a time to celebrate our commitment to health care for all and rededicate ourselves to promoting the values that underpin it. It marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, of which Canada was a founding member. Celebrating the WHO’s 70th birthday, this year’s theme is “Universal health coverage – everyone, everywhere.”
In Canada, we believe strongly in universal, publicly funded health care. A little over fifty years ago, Lester B. Pearson’s government passed the Medical Care Act, introduced by Minister Allan J. MacEachern to ensure universal coverage to all, “irrespective of their ability to pay.” This was followed in 1984 by the Canada Health Act (CHA), guaranteeing a national standard of publicly-funded health care to every Canadian regardless of where they live.
Over a half century later, Medicare and the CHA are symbols of our national identity. They reflect Canadians’ belief that health care should be accessible to all. The values of equity and universality that underpin these two landmark laws are just as relevant today as when they were first introduced.
The importance of health care for all doesn’t stop at our borders – health-related initiatives are Canada’s largest foreign aid commitment. Our feminist international development policy places a special emphasis on the needs of women and children, with an extra $650 million announced last year for female sexual and reproductive health.
Yet too many Canadians still have to choose between keeping the lights on and taking their medication. So our government is acting – as announced in Budget 2018, we’re creating an Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, which will make recommendations on how to ensure every Canadian has access to the medicine they need. We’ve also worked to expand access to prescription drugs by taking steps to lower prices, streamline regulatory processes, support better prescribing practices and explore a national drug formulary.
Today, we reflect on the progress we’ve made and chart a course for a healthier future. Canada must remain an example to the world – I’ll continue working hard to protect and expand our universal health care system, so all Canadians get the care they deserve. Happy World Health Day!
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health