Advocates work to put health care on the radar as premiers meet in Ontario

Health-care advocacy groups and associations representing doctors and nurses are in Ontario's cottage country this week, trying to ensure health care remains a top priority for premiers. 

The post-pandemic crisis in health care has taken centre stage at the Council of the Federation in recent years as premiers have pushed Ottawa for more funding.

This year, there's a concern that staff shortages and long wait times will take a back seat as the premiers focus on trade and the economy.

The Canadian Medical Association, which represents physicians, is focusing its message on the health-care system's footprint in the national economy.

CMA president Dr. Margot Burnell says she will be stressing that healthy communities are essential to a healthy economy.

The Canadian Nurses Association, meanwhile, is working to convince premiers to harmonize their licensing systems to break down interprovincial barriers to labour mobility.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards