Mr. Chair, honourable members of the committee, thank you for having me today. I represent HealthCareCAN, the national voice of Canada's health care organizations and research hospitals.
I am happy to have next to me Heidi Sveistrup, who is the chief executive officer and chief scientific officer of the Bruyère Research Institute. Ms. Sveistrup, a brilliant researcher who is appreciated, is also a member of HealthCareCAN.
Before I begin my statement, I would like to greet my fellow witnesses who are here to share their point of view.
If government wants to address the climate emergency, research hospitals and health organizations must be made key partners in its sustainable development, green infrastructure and climate change agendas. As everyone knows, hospitals operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The result is that these critical institutions are the most energy-intensive public facilities in Canada. Hospitals currently consume roughly 11% of Canada's total public energy and collectively account for more than 5% of our nation's greenhouse gas footprint.
Making matters worse is the fact that Canada's hospital infrastructure is ancient. Much of it is made up of 50-year-old hospitals, and yet Canada's research hospitals and health organizations continue to be excluded from most federal infrastructure funding programs, including the disaster mitigation and adaptation fund, and many others. In my view, this is an appalling policy oversight. Hospitals and health organizations cannot make green upgrades, retrofits or repairs when they often do not have the budget to perform even basic maintenance.
In 2016, we were pleased to see that this committee recommended that the federal government ensure a level playing field to allow hospitals and health organizations to be eligible to compete directly for federal funding programs, such as green infrastructure and innovation. Hon. members, we are not asking for any special favours or special treatment. What we are asking for is for our sector be treated equally, like other sectors, such as energy and universities. In budget 2020, we ask that you bring back that overlooked recommendation. In my view, this only requires a policy change and no additional funding.
HealthCareCAN is also urging the federal government to step up and fund the full cost of health research in Canada.
Research activities involve significant indirect costs. The federal funding currently covers only between 18% and 21% of indirect costs of research, compared with 40% to 80% covered for our American and British colleagues and counterparts.
You can see how Canadian researchers are at a serious disadvantage and why brain drain of the top-tier research talent is a serious concern.
HealthCareCAN therefore recommends that the federal government grow investment in science to cover the full cost of research, enabling Canada's research hospitals to generate new breakthroughs, including on the health impacts of climate change.
Lastly, specific action to support health lies in the federal government stepping up its efforts to support full deployment of digital solutions in health.
In Canada, health data is generally siloed in an establishment or an appropriate authority. However, as argued by the government's own advisers at Canada's Health and Bio-Sciences Economic Strategy Table, the mobilization of our data on health will benefit patients, clinicians, researchers and the economy in general.
More specifically, the table recommended that Canada put forward three key elements: an interoperable digital health platform; harmonized frameworks for data and for safeguarding individual privacy; and, finally, a unique electronic health record for all Canadians.
The federal government has the power to address this recommendation, and we want it to take the initiative to do so.
I would like to close with the words of the CEO of one of our member institutions in Ontario, who recently published in The Globe and Mail a stirring call to action from the front lines of our health care system:
While much divides our country, one thing unites us: compassionate, safe and high-quality care for all Canadians. Without definitive action, it's never been at greater risk.
I urge the honourable members of the finance committee to take action now.
Thank you for giving us the privilege to present here today.
I have left you an invitation card for February 24, when you will be able to meet most of those leaders, who are CEOs of institutions, universities and research centres.
Thank you.