Thanks, Phil.
To quickly summarize, CPhA is submitting three recommendations for your consideration. One, extend coverage of new pharmacist-provided services to federal populations; two, invest in education and training that supports practice change and expands its scope of practice; and three, increase the role and capacity of the federal government in pan-Canadian health human resources planning that includes pharmacy labour market studies and forecasting models.
While we recognize that health care is mostly regulated and delivered at the provincial-territorial level, the federal government does have a key leadership role to play. With our aging population and the challenges of health care costs and chronic diseases, we still have a lot more to do to make sure Canada has the right mix of health care providers with the right skills in the right place and at the right time.
Once again, Mr. Chair, on behalf of the Canadian Pharmacists Association, thank you for undertaking this important study. We look forward to your questions and comments today, and also to working with the federal government and other stakeholders in implementing solutions.