CMA Urges Action After Health Ministers’ Meetings Fail to Deliver

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) criticized the recent meetings of federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers held in Calgary on October 16-17, 2023, stating that they fell short of producing meaningful solutions for Canada’s health care system. The discussions focused on various issues, including access to pharmaceuticals, licensing for internationally trained health professionals, and expanding mental health and addiction services. Despite these efforts, CMA President Dr. Margot Burnell expressed disappointment regarding the lack of concrete action plans emerging from the talks.

In an interview with CTV News Channel, Burnell emphasized the need for decisive measures. “We were disappointed that they did not come out with tangible, concrete action plans,” she said. “We’ve had lots of discussions about many of these topics. We know the solutions, so we need to start developing concrete action plans.”

Among the CMA’s priorities are increasing funding for primary care teams, facilitating cross-provincial work for physicians, and establishing a streamlined pathway for internationally trained doctors. According to the latest edition of Caring for Canadians: Canada’s Future Health Workforce published in January 2025, there is a pressing need for nearly 23,000 additional family physicians in Canada—a 49 percent increase from the current supply. The report also highlights a demand for 14,000 licensed practical nurses, 2,700 nurse practitioners, 28,000 registered nurses, 500 registered psychiatric nurses, and 2,000 occupational therapists.

Burnell noted that reducing barriers for physicians would enhance access significantly. “We know from models in the U.S. and Australia that by having a multi-jurisdictional licensure pathway, you can increase access by about 10 to 15 percent, particularly in critical areas like border communities, rural regions, and remote areas,” she stated. Such a system would enable physicians to rotate through different locations, helping them determine where to establish their practices.

The CMA also advocates for the implementation of digital health systems that would facilitate communication among physicians, effectively reducing “onerous and time-consuming paperwork.” Acknowledging the importance of vaccinations, Health Canada stated that immunization would be addressed in future discussions. This delay in addressing vaccination concerns has alarmed Burnell, who remarked, “That’s very disappointing. We know that vaccinations save lives, so that’s very important. We’ve seen the measles outbreak, we’ve seen lives lost from that, so that really is a very important public health concern.”

As discussions continue, stakeholders in the health care system are left to ponder the implications of these meetings and the urgent need for actionable solutions to the challenges facing Canada’s health care landscape.