Reliable health care
Canadians deserve timely, equitable health care, whether in hospitals, homes or communities.
Canadians deserve a health-care system they can count on.
Why this matters
Health care is a top concern for older Canadians, and for good reason. Many are facing long wait times, a shortage of family doctors and difficulty accessing affordable long-term, home and community care.
More than 6.5 million Canadians don’t have a regular doctor or nurse practitioner. In 2021, nearly half a million people, mostly seniors, reported unmet home care needs. Most older adults want to age in their homes, but the services they rely on are often unavailable or unaffordable.
Progress has been made, including the development of national long-term care standards, but those standards remain voluntary. Older Canadians also need access to affordable prescription drugs and dental care, which are essential to preventing more serious health issues, reducing long-term health costs and supporting well-being.
A strong, reliable health-care system that meets people’s changing needs is essential to helping Canadians age with dignity, wherever they choose to live.
What we’re calling for
As health needs change with age, older Canadians need a reliable continuum of care. Targeted investment and action are essential to improve access, reduce costs and support healthy aging at home and in the community.
We’re calling on the federal government to:
- Implement and enforce national standards for long-term care and home and community care — in partnership with provinces and territories and tied to adequate funding — to ensure quality, equitable, and accountable services.
- Update the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan (PDSP) to reflect the rising cost of care and advances in dental services. Pensioners currently pay 50 per cent of plan costs, and the plan must evolve to meet today’s needs.
- Fully fund and implement national pharmacare in collaboration with provinces and territories. The program must work alongside existing public and private coverage so all Canadians can afford the medications they need — without losing what they already have.
