Finance Committee on Feb. 17th, 2016

[Dr. Cindy Forbes]

Certainly with the Canada health transfer, and we've made that point very clearly, first of all because it would affect every province. It would be additional money to every province. Some obviously have older populations than others. Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and British Columbia certainly have the oldest populations. We do know that with older populations, we have increased costs. For instance, 15% of the population of Ontario are seniors, and they account for 50% of the health care spending. That would be a benefit to all provinces and territories, and it's definitely something the federal government has the ability to do.

[Toby Sanger]

In our submission we talked about a new health accord, but that funding needs to be tied to enforcement of the Canada Health Act, a pharmacare program, and a number of other areas. We need strong enforcement in that area while ensuring it remains public, and expansion in different areas, for instance community and primary health care, continuing care, and a mental health strategy. That's one, but with a lot of different things inside.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Do I still have some time?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Yes. You still have time. You have a full minute.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Perhaps I'll just go a little deeper on my question.

Some of the things that were discussed, I believe, in 2005 were things like e-health or electronic health records. Some of you alluded to prescription drug procurement and other things where the federal government, by playing a role, either a coordination role nationally or some sort of other leadership role nationally, could help assist the provinces.

Some people called it uploading, and obviously we always want to be careful about provincial jurisdictions here, but other than what you have just outlined, some of which are increased investments, is there a more affirmative leadership role the federal government could play?

[Dr. Cindy Forbes]

There is certainly in the area of home care. That was really the purpose of our recommendation for having a home care innovation fund. Across this country we know there are great things happening, but they're in small pockets. There have been pilot projects that have been successful but have not been scaled up.

It is one of the things the federal government can do, by bringing the provinces and territories together, identifying best practices and supporting them. That's the purpose of an innovation fund, not just to support the concept of innovating, but actually to invest in the best practices that are working. We don't have that ability across this country right now, and that is something the federal government can certainly do.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

For the second round of questioning, we will start with Mr. McColeman, for five minutes.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

This is a simple question. I'd like all the organizations to answer, if they can, and just keep the answer to the number, because my time is limited.

He only gives me five minutes. I don't know why he gives me that, but he does.

For those of you who are making requests of the government to spend more on programs, have you quantified what number your ask is?

We'll start with you, sir.

[Alex Ferguson]

No, we haven't done the final detail. It's more conceptual.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Okay, thank you.

Dr. Forbes.

[Dr. Cindy Forbes]

Yes, we have a Conference Board report that has quantified three of those items: the Canada health transfer, the caregiver tax credit, and home care innovation was another. I can give you those numbers.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

What is the total?

[Dr. Cindy Forbes]

It was $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion and $91 million. Those were the three.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

It was $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion.... Okay.

May I have the nurses' number?

[Anne Sutherland Boal]

We talked about investments in home care in support of the $3 billion that the government has committed to home care. We know that by investing in that.... Home care costs $55 a day and in-hospital care costs $1,000 a day, so it's good use of—

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Okay, so $3 billion was the ask.

[Anne Sutherland Boal]

Yes.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Okay.

[Toby Sanger]

I didn't include the numbers in the submission, but I'm part of the alternative federal budget process, and we have quantified the numbers there. I also prepared the fair tax chapter on it, and so—

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

What's the number?

[Toby Sanger]

Well, I said I didn't quantify them in this, but—

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Can you give me an estimate?

[Toby Sanger]

I'll show it to you when we get the alternative federal budget out. They're affordable.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

You will supply it at a later date. Okay.

Ms. Decter.

[Ann Decter]

I made two quantified requests. One was for $5 million to Status of Women Canada to support sector engagement in the violence against women national action plan. The other was for $10 million for the shelter enhancement program.