Doctors Manitoba is joining medical associations representing doctors from across Canada in taking the unusual step of sending a joint letter to Premiers and the Prime Minister. The letter calls on the federal, provincial and territorial governments to collaborate immediately to begin solving the country’s health systems crisis, beginning with an agreement to increase federal health funding with clear accountability to patients to improve their access to care. 

Physicians are disappointed that meaningful commitments to pan-Canadian collaboration and increased health care funding did not emerge from the recent health ministers’ meeting in Vancouver. Health care is in crisis in every province and territory in Canada. Patients cannot access the care they need in a timely fashion and physicians are rapidly burning out. 

“On behalf of Canada’s doctors, we respectfully urge First Ministers to advance meaningful action for the patients of Canada,” reads a letter. ​“The gaps in our health care system are growing wider with every day that passes without the necessary political leadership to address the growing crisis.”

To read the full letter, please click here. The letter was signed by the presidents of medical associations across Canada, including:

• Doctors Manitoba 
• Canadian Medical Association
• Alberta Medical Association
• Doctors of BC
• Ontario Medical Association
• Saskatchewan Medical Association 
• Doctors Nova Scotia
• Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec
• Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec
• Medical Society of Prince Edward Island
• New Brunswick Medical Society
• Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association
• Northwest Territories Medical Association
• Yukon Medical Association
  

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