Health Coalition shocked to learn health care left out of national leaders’ debate
The Canadian Health Coalition is expressing dismay to reports that leaders will not be asked how they will improve health care at the national leaders’ debates. The debates are being organized by the Leaders’ Debates Commission for April 16 (French) and April 17 (English).
“Excluding health care in the national leaders’ debate is a shocking case of ‘malpractice’ by the debate organizers. We hope that the Commission will reconsider and ensure leaders are pressed to explain their plans for public health care as it is high on the list of voters’ concerns,” said Steven Staples, National Director of Policy and Advocacy of the Canadian Health Coalition.
On Monday, April 14, Staples and Anne Lagacé Dowson, Media Director of the Canadian Health Coalition, joined Dr. Amanda Black with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and Frédérique Chabot of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights at a press conference on Parliament Hill. They called on parties running in the federal election to explain their plans to defend and improve Medicare.
The organizations asked for parties to support universal pharmacare, public dental care, and the enforcement of the Canada Health Act.
Watch the press conference here:
Also, on Monday, labour leaders and frontline workers outside the Nanaimo Hospital in British Columbia decried the political inaction that is putting Canada’s public health care system in critical condition.
“Our public health care system is on life support,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Staffing shortages have reached a dangerous tipping point. Wait times for surgeries span months or even years. Millions of Canadians are living without access to a family doctor, and far too many must choose between paying for medication and covering basic needs.”
Canada’s labour leaders are also denouncing the decision to leave health care out of the federal leaders’ debate, calling it “an astonishing omission and a missed opportunity to address one of the most urgent issues facing Canadians today.”
The debate consortium has cut health care from the leaders’ debate.
— Bea Bruske, CLC President (@PresidentCLC) April 14, 2025
It’s a staggering disservice to Canadians—and proof they’re out of touch. Health care is a top priority across the country. Cutting it out is indefensible. @Debates_Can #cdnpoli #Debates2025
The Canadian Federation of Nurses Union has made it easy for you to send a letter to the Commission to reconsider and include health care as a priority topic in the debates.
Canada’s unions are calling on all political parties to commit to:
- A national health workforce strategy that recruits, retains, and properly compensates health care workers
- A full, universal, single-payer Pharmacare program—no more delays or half-measures
- Reinvestment in public health, long-term care, and home care to meet the needs of an aging population
- An end to growing privatization that leaves patients behind and profits corporations.
