Thank you, Chair. I'm grateful for the opportunity to appear before the finance committee today.
I acknowledge, with gratitude, that we gather here today on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I appreciate their stewardship of the land over generations.
My name is Dr. Margot Burnell. I am president of the Canadian Medical Association. The CMA represents physicians and medical learners across the country and advocates for the patients we serve.
In our 159-year history, we have learned that in times of economic uncertainty, we must never forget to keep our population healthy. No matter the rupture points we face, our health must come first. A healthy economy demands a healthy population.
We also know that our health care sector can help build a stronger country. As a hub of discovery, a proving ground for AI innovation, a repository of data, a source of talent and a base of key infrastructure, our health care sector should be recognized as a driver of growth and prosperity rather than being viewed as an operating cost. Representing nearly $400 billion annually and 12.5% of GDP, Canada's health care sector remains an important contributor to economic strength.
Allow me to focus on key areas where federal leadership is most needed. As we work together to address our shared challenges, we also see opportunities to connect, innovate, modernize, build and strengthen resilience.
First, let's harness digital health tools and AI to connect patients to the care they need. We support the passage of Bill S-5, the connected care for Canadians act, to enable national health data connectivity. We urge the federal government to work with provinces and territories to help primary care clinics, specialty services and offices in the community transition from siloed electronic medical records to interoperable systems.
Second, the number of people unable to find and secure a family care professional remains disturbingly high. We need to realize a national vision for primary care. The first step is to enact a primary care act. Canada lags behind its peers. Every person deserves access to a health care team.
Third, in the face of climate change, which is increasingly disrupting health care delivery, we look to the government to build resilient health infrastructure. Investments in a health infrastructure fund could help anchor climate resilience and decarbonization standards, enable indigenous governments and rural and remote communities to apply for rapid climate retrofits, and allow for the integration of nature-based solutions and green spaces across health care facilities.
Fourth, we're looking for allies in the fight against the spread of false health information. Nine out of 10 people in Canada have expressed the need for government to act. We look forward to the reintroduction of an online harms act to prioritize online safety, especially for protecting our children. We also recommend an investment in the federal health portfolio to combat false health information and elevate trusted health sources.
Fifth, the federal government is responsible for one of the most burdensome forms: the disability tax credit form. Eighty-five per cent of physicians identify the DTC as a significant administrative burden. We look to the government to finalize, enhance and scale, nationally, the two-page renewal pilot form, to reform and simplify the DTC form so that physicians can spend less time on paperwork that is unnecessary for them to perform and more time caring for patients.
Sixth, as we advance indigenous rights and solutions to health care inequities, we await the reintroduction of a first nations clean water act. We look for the government's support in classifying indigenous-led health and support programs as essential services and in overhauling the non-insured health benefits program under indigenous leadership.
Lastly, because of a shortage of 23,000 family doctors nationwide, we recommend aligning immigration policies with health workforce planning.
Chair, in closing, we know a better future for health care is within reach. By supporting a healthier population and advancing a more modern, equitable and resilient health care system, we can secure a stronger future for our country.
Meegwetch.