Canadian Medical Association

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) welcomes the 2020–2021 budget presented today by the Quebec Minister of Finance. This budget reaffirms the government’s commitment to improving health care access by modernizing the delivery of health care services and by taking steps for seniors and caregivers.

Improving access to care is a priority issue for the CMA, and the Association welcomes these investments in the optimization of the information systems of institutions and the development of applications to facilitate health care access and delivery. The CMA believes that these funds should go towards developing and delivering virtual care in Quebec in order to enable patients to receive care at the right time and place.

“Today, over two thirds of medical follow-ups could be conducted virtually,” said Dr. Abdo Shabah, who represents Quebec on the CMA Board of Directors. “Implementing tools that facilitate remote care must be a priority.”

Caregivers and seniors care 
Caregivers are a crucial factor in helping seniors and people who are losing their independence remain in their homes. Speaking to that fact, the CMA applauds the creation of a new refundable tax credit for caregivers, a measure the CMA has been advocating for years. The CMA offers its expertise to the Quebec government for the establishment of its first national policy for caregivers. We also note the steps taken to support seniors as they contribute to strengthening Quebec’s health care system and improving access to care. 

Climate change and it’s impact on health
Health care professionals see the impact of climate change on patients’ health, including most notably heat-related conditions, cardiorespiratory illnesses, infectious disease outbreaks, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The CMA applauds the recognition by the Quebec government of the impact of climate change on health. We are looking forward to working with the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating a greener health care system.

“Physicians are on the front lines of a health care system that is seeing growing numbers of patients experiencing health problems related to climate change,” said Dr. Shabah. “For this reason, we are calling on the Government of Quebec to consider the impacts on public health in its plan for effective governance of the fight against climate change.”

 

Back to top