Thank you.
Hello ladies and gentlemen.
The Canadian Medical Association's 2018 pre-budget brief has been provided to you so I will not use our time rehashing our recommendations in detail. But I want to be clear: acting on the CMA's key recommendation—that the federal government provide targeted funding to support the development of a pan-Canadian senior strategy to address the needs of the aging population—is the defining challenge facing our nation today.
Canada's health care system is confronted with a growing and aging population with more complex and chronic health care needs. When our public health system was created about 50 years ago, Canada's population was just over 20 million and the average life expectancy was 71. Today, our population is over 35 million and the average life expectancy is 10 years longer.
Relying on acute care hospitals to care for our aging population is an ineffective use of health care dollars, and it is not sustainable. The demands on our system will simply become too great, and such an approach will fail both our aging population and the remainder of Canadians who must access the health care system in a timely fashion.
The CMA is delighted to report that Liberal MP Mr. Marc Serré has introduced a motion to establish a national seniors strategy in Canada. The motion was adopted by the House of Commons, and the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities will now undertake a study on the topic.
By developing a national seniors strategy now, the federal government will help Canadians be as productive as possible in their workplaces and in their communities.
Implementing the CMA's recommendations as an integrated package is essential to stitching together the elements of community-based and residential care for seniors. In addition to making a meaningful contribution to meeting the future care needs of Canada's aging population, these recommendations will mitigate the impacts of economic pressures on individuals and jurisdictions across the country.
With strong leadership now, we can evolve our system and right our course. The CMA's pre-budget recommendations provide a clear roadmap to do so.
I must also call attention to the proposed taxation changes announced for consultation on July 18. I will not repeat all the points made in the thousands of letters, emails, and in the media over the course of the last two months. However, we must understand that this is a proposal of the most significant changes to the tax system in 45 years, and the CMA believes that a 75-day consultation is inadequate to deal with the scope of these changes. The unintended consequences for our members and for over one million other small business operators are worrisome.
We acknowledge the diversity of opinion and perspectives on this issue, including the support expressed this week by some physicians. What we can all agree on is that a comprehensive review of our tax system is required, and that takes time.
As Parliament resumes this week, our nation turns to its elected representatives for leadership.
Respecting and celebrating our health care professionals, be they nurses, doctors, therapists, counsellors or others, is a sign of great leadership.
With the serious challenges facing our health care system, it is critical that we discuss Budget 2018 and all other public policy matters within the context of Canadian values.
I will be pleased to take your questions.
Thank you.