Universal healthcare made the top of a list of things identified as a very important source of personal or collective Canadian Pride.

The Association for Canadian Studies conducted a survey from June 28 to July 1, 2019.

The survey shows that 73% of Canadians found personal or collective pride in universal healthcare, 70% in the Canadian passport, 67% in the Canadian Flag, and 65% found pride in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The National Anthem and the Armed Forces also won more than 50% support.

Presentism

Things that impact the present and affect people personally ranked higher than concepts or historical events.

The 1867 Confederation Agreements won only 37% support and the Monarchy 15%. But without the British North America Act, Canada and universal healthcare would not exist. Something different than Canada would exist instead.

Low support for history runs though every social issue. Dreams about something different divide voters into two camps.

Some see history as an embarrassment. History limits our present greatness. We’d be better off forgetting it.

While others value the past because they appreciate the present. They do not see the past as perfect, but they love the past because it brought us the present.

Misplaced Pride?

Only 4% of Canadians need an acute care hospital bed in any given year. Most people never experience healthcare beyond twisted ankles and prescription refills. Continue reading “Misplaced Pride? — 73% of Canadians Proud of Universal Healthcare”

Everyone wants to form an Ontario Health Team. But few know how to get community doctors’ support.  They do not know because they cannot see.

Imagine that we nationalized auto repair in Ontario.

All mechanics’ shops, including dealership service departments, now send repair bills to one insurance plan called Autocare.

Mechanics in local garages fix cars for loyal customers. Dealerships deal with major problems that community mechanics do not fix.

Local shops have 1500 customers. Some see only 750; others up to 3000. A single community could have 250 community mechanics.

Some mechanics share expenses with partners, but each mechanic must maintain liability insurance. Most community mechanics are independent contractors. Only dealerships hire mechanics on salary.

Mechanics’ shops rely on supporting businesses for towing; tire disposal, oil and waste disposal. But each supporting business negotiates with Autocare individually.

Government would love to control how, when, and where mechanics work. But it would cost too much to put mechanics on salary. Continue reading “Ontario Health Teams Need Physician Leadership”