With the 2025 federal election underway, many of us are thinking about the issues that matter most. These uncertain economic times are at the top of our minds, and ensuring access to healthcare is a crucial part of that. Here are some of the most important healthcare issues to consider in relation to the election.
Access to treatment and care
In 2019, we identified equity, delays, eligibility, and un- or under-insured as the biggest issues facing cancer treatment. Unfortunately, these concerns still hold true today.
It is a long road from when a new cancer treatment is approved by Health Canada to when it’s covered under public healthcare and when patients have access to it. It often takes one to two years before a new medicine becomes publicly funded. Each province decides individually whether to add the drug to its formulary (a list of prescription drugs paid for by the province), potentially resulting in unequal access across the country. What might be available in one province may not be in another.
In 2025, Canadians need better access to the medicines that treat cancer. This need is crucial and has been recognized by many, from patient groups and patient advocates to organizations. For example, the Canadian Medical Association has called on the federal government to ensure Canadians have access to these medicines by providing long-term, sustainable funding to support the implementation of a national pharmacare plan.
Research and access for high-risk individuals
There are certain factors that put individuals at an increased or high risk of developing breast cancer. Years of breast cancer awareness and education around its prevention have helped to increase people’s knowledge of the symptoms of this disease, as well as knowledge around the standard methods of breast cancer screening. Unfortunately, there remains a lack of awareness, education, and screening methods for individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer.
A government that supports research that can be used to tailor screening programs for high-risk individuals is an important step in breast cancer prevention. This can be research on a risk-stratified approach to breast cancer screening guidelines or more specifically, research that looks into appropriate supplemental screening methods for people with dense breasts. Education about, and access to genetic testing must also be more equitable across the country so that people at high risk of developing breast cancer can take preventative action before cancer develops.
Conducting more research and expanding access to screening and genetic testing to reflect personal and community-based risks would help ensure that no one is left behind.
Including diverse data to improve equitable health and accessibility
Good decisions depend on good data. We know where a person lives, how much income they make, and the communities they belong to all affect a person’s health more than lifestyle choices like diet or exercise. For example, in rural areas, limited access to health services can mean that people are diagnosed at later stages, which in turn limits treatment options and can lead to poorer health outcomes. We saw the value of such data during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health officials were able to see gaps in protection and act quickly.
Right now, Canada doesn’t collect enough demographic health data, such as those based on race, ethnicity, income, or Indigenous identity. This makes it harder to track trends or to understand where healthcare gaps exist. Advocates have been calling on the government to support healthcare providers in collecting this information for years, hoping to address inequalities. National organizations like Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC), and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) have also been among those calling for better health data.
It's crucial that we use Canadian data to inform Canadian healthcare policies and decisions. Too much of the data currently informing healthcare decisions comes from the US and may not reflect the realities of the Canadian population. Using Canadian demographic health data to make healthcare policies and decisions can make care more accessible, especially in Indigenous and underserved communities, bringing healthcare services to where people are and addressing the unique challenges they face.
We need to standardize our approach to collecting demographic health data so we can build a system that includes everyone. Aligning with existing pan-Canadian data standards is necessary to make a real difference in improving outcomes. Now more than ever, we need Canadian data to inform our approach to healthcare.
Elections are about choosing the future we want. Timely access to treatment, individualized screening, greater equity, and better data collection can help create a healthcare system that works better for all Canadians.
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