As deficits are mounting in our Provincial and Federal governments, something has to be done to get the finances under control. Our universal health care program for one is totally unsustainable if we keep going on with the status-quo. It seems that the more money that is thrown at it it just seems to get worse. Wait times are astronomical for most tests and treatments. We have a shortage of doctors and nurses. In fact upwards of 17% of Canadians don't have a family doctor.
In Alberta here health care eats up 40% of the government's total budget and in the future if we don't make any changes, more and more of the budget will go towards health care never mind other things like infrastructure that we so desperately need. Budget 2010, health care costs pushed our Alberta budget to a whopping $4.7B deficit. Health care spending rose 16.6 percent.
The Feds have steadily increased transfer payments over the years as well. So where is all the money going? I beg to say it is going primarily to the beaucracy, the unions (nurses unions etc.) So what do we do? We can't keep going on like this, something has to give.
It 's good to see that the federal government is finally looking to at least starting an adult conversation on the matter. Have they already signaled it with Max Bernier? Could be. Or is he just going rogue? I hope not. But any case, I hope at least it's a positive indicator from the government. It is long overdue that's for sure. We do need reform in this country not just in health care but in general way the we do government. Government cannot be all things to all people. Someone has to pay, if not now but eventually with our children and grandchildren footing the bill. We don't want to burden them with our hefty bills. I don't want to see our future generations used as slaves! It`s not fair to them. We have to get out of this entitlement mentality.
So let the conversation begin! At least it's a start!
