Any governments across Canada that claim to prioritize the economy while dismantling our public health care have lost their moral compass
- Ontario Health Coalition
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Posted by the Ontario Health Coalition
July 17, 2025
Health Coalitions from across Canada issued a joint statement in advance of the gathering of First Ministers and the Council of the Federation
Health Coalitions across Canada want our provincial and federal leaders to succeed in the new international context dealing with the Trump presidency. At this time, we urgently remind our political leaders that access to universal, comprehensive public health care is a core foundation of any just economy. Any governments that claim to prioritize the economy while ignoring the collapse of health care have lost their moral compass.
We remind our political leaders that the economy exists to serve people, not the other way around, and the economy is more than militarism and private sector projects. If a person falls ill or is injured and cannot access health care or mental health care, there is no economy for them. If a 70-year-old goes to a private clinic and is forced to use their life savings and pay thousands of dollars for their surgery, what chance do they have to get out of poverty for the rest of their life? If a person has diabetes and cannot afford their insulin and supplies, what economy is there for them?
Our public health care is a nation-building success, still a source of national pride – and rightfully so. It is a cornerstone element of our public services that Canadians have built over a century to ease suffering and need, and to support people to live to their human potential. The values of equity and compassion that underlie our public health care for all are foundational principles for our society. We expect our political leaders to champion these values while we reforge our national identity in the new international context.
