Our Advocacy
Our Advocacy
A Prescription for Primary Care – Family Medicine Perspective
- Canada’s health care system succeeds when the foundation of primary care is strong.
- The cracks in our system are widening and both health care professionals and patients are increasingly falling in.
- Family doctor burnout is at record levels, the administrative burden is unmanageable and remuneration is often inadequate
- Overworked family practices and emergency departments struggle to attract and retain workers
- Family doctors need support to continue serving as the foundation of Canada’s health care
Government Relations
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CFPC’s Prescription for Primary Care – tangible solutions to meet urgent needs
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Health Workforce report recommendations are sound, now is the time for decisive action
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Family Doctors are the Heart of Primary Care
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Federal proposal on health care funding has merit, but dollars alone won’t fix what ails us
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2022
The CFPC submits recommendations for the 2023 federal budget
The CFPC has presented a set of recommendations to the federal government to address the crisis in our health care system and alleviate the pressure on our health workforce.
The CFPC met with MPs from all federal political parties throughout 2022 to discuss access to care and the health workforce crisis
The CFPC met with members of the Standing Committee on Health, other federal MPs, and cabinet Ministers, including Marcus Powlowski, Michael Barrett, Matthew Green, Dr. Stephen Ellis, Don Davies, Laila Goodridge, Brendan Hanley and The Hon. Mike Lake. We have also met with the Minister of Health The Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, as well as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health The Hon. Carolyn Bennett.
The College of Family Physicians, the Canadian Nurses Association, and the Canadian Medical Association submit briefing to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health
This jointly-created set of policy recommendations illustrates the issues of the health human resources workforce crisis and outlines areas for federal investment to bolster the foundations of our struggling health care system.
The CFPC present to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
On two occasions, Dr. Francine Lemire, CFPC CEO, and Dr. Brady Bouchard, CFPC President, testified to HESA regarding the crisis in health and human resources in Canada on – April 4th and May 9th.
The CFPC responds to the federal Budget 2022
Read about the CFPC’s response to Budget 2022.
Family physicians continue providing care despite burnout, COVID-19 challenges
A new series of polls commissioned by the CFPC find that despite COVID-19-related challenges, Canada’s family physicians continue to provide access to care with both in-person and virtual appointments. The public poll featured responses from 2,005 adults in Canada, while the family physician poll featured responses from 851 CFPC family physician members.
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2021
The CFPC submits recommendations for the 2022 federal budget
The CFPC has submitted a series of recommendations to inform the federal government’s 2022 budget. The recommendations focus on enhancing access to primary care with a series of funding initiatives, continuing to call for the implementation of a universal national pharmacare program, and funding health-related spending to support Indigenous and rural communities.
The CFPC/Nanos poll shows people’s preference for accessing care from their regular family physician
A recent poll indicates people living in Canada prefer to receive care from their regular family physicians through either in-person or virtual appointments if they can be seen in a timely fashion. However, this preference erodes as wait times grow. View the poll results.
The CFPC response to the federal budget
Federal Budget 2021 misses the opportunity to strengthen primary care. Read the information release.
Letter from MP Don Davies to the Minister of Finance in support of the CFPC’s call for a Primary Health Care Transition Fund
The CFPC is pleased to report that NDP Health Critic Don Davies has written to the Minister of Finance to advocate for Canada’s investment into a dedicated $1.2 billion Primary Health Care Transition Fund. The letter outlines the need for greater investment into primary care, the proven benefits of the Patient’s Medical Home vison, and how increased support now can decrease long-term costs to the health system. Read MP Davies’ letter. (March 1, 2021).
2023
See all government relations outreach documents from 2012 to present in our archives.
Position Statements
2023
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CFPC highlights cracks in the foundation of primary care with Commonwealth Fund survey
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The CFPC supports blended funding models and advocates for fair compensation for family physicians
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The CFPC advocates for family physicians to be involved in decision-making and policy-making
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CFPC Statement on National Physician Licensure
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2022
Position Statement on Locum Availability in Canada
As access to care is a growing problem in Canada, national licensure could rapidly address obstacles to primary care, prevent physician burnout, and avoid further staffing shortages.
Read the CFPC’s statement.
The CFPC commits to equity and humility in Indigenous health
On November 10, 2022, the College of Family Physicians of Canada™ (CFPC), with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, signed a formal Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility in Health Services Delivery for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People in Canada.
Position Statement on Workforce Supply for Family Medicine in Canada
Canada is facing an alarming shortage of family doctors. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost five million people in Canada did not have a regular health care provider.
Read the CFPC’s statement.
Position Statement on Physician Burnout in Canada
More than 60 per cent of family physicians have indicated worsening mental health since the onset of the pandemic, attributed to increased workload, a lack of work-life balance, and other challenges.
Read the CFPC’s statement.
Position Statement on Administrative Support for Family Medicine in Canada
Family physicians are skilled generalists who provide high-quality, community responsive, and adaptive care across the life cycle, yet too much of their time is spent on administrative tasks and paperwork.
Read the CFPC’s statement.
CFPC Statement: Remembering Joyce Echaquan on September 28th
September 28th marks the second anniversary of the preventable death of Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw woman, who died during a hospital stay in 2020 as a result of systemic racism.
Read the CFPC’s statement.
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2021
Strengthening Health Care – Access Done Right Position Statement
Access to high-quality comprehensive continuous primary care close to home is a foundational component of an effective health care system. Read our position statement, Access Done Right.
Joint Position Statement on the Role of Family Physicians in Long-Term Care Homes
The Joint Position Statement on the Role of Family Physicians in Long-Term Care Homes, produced in partnership with the Canadian Society for Long-Term Care Medicine, addresses current challenges in long-term care and calls for system-wide improvements across Canada. View the statement.
Joint position statement calling for funding to strengthen primary care
The CFPC, as part of a coalition of health care providers, released a joint statement calling for dedicated primary care funding in the federal budget and for the government to deliver on its commitment to ensure all people in Canada have access to a primary care provider. View the statement.
Family physicians are key to Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout
The CFPC is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to highlight the role of family physicians as trusted advisers with their patients and their roles in COVID-19 vaccine administration. View the statement.
Policy Papers and Reports
2023
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CFPC offers a series of evidence-based Family Practice Reform Proposals
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CFPC-commissioned survey confirms that Canadians love their family physicians
CFPC-commissioned survey confirms that patients value the hard work of family physicians, expect the government to play a key role in strengthening the health care system.
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Championing our members with new factsheet that demonstrates the value of family physicians
Family physicians: At the front of the line of primary care in Canada illustrates family physicians’ vital role in Canada’s health care system. See the impact family physicians are making.
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2022
Interprofessional Primary Care Teams: A literature review of potential international best practices
The CFPC has released a commissioned report investigating the available evidence about international best practices in implementing interprofessional primary care teams. Read the full report here and the separate executive summary here.
The Value of Socially Accountable Care—Investing in primary health care that supports pandemic recovery, promotes health equity, and improves health outcomes
The CFPC Social Accountability Working Group has produced a policy brief about the value of socially accountable care and how it can be implemented.
Buying Access Will Cost You: The Unintended Consequences of For-Profit Virtual Care
The CFPC is responding to the use of for-profit virtual care services in Canada with a new report.
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2021
The Value of Continuity—Investment in Primary Care Saves Costs and Improves Lives
The CFPC has released an evidence summary demonstrating the importance of continuity of care and its influence on patient satisfaction, quality of life, and health outcomes.
Virtual Care in the Patient’s Medical Home—New Report Available
This supplement to the Patient’s Medical Home vision spells out the important role of virtual care in supporting patients’ access to comprehensive and continuous care in a way that complements rather than replaces the in-person delivery of health care services.
Archives
Related Resources
The College works with elected officials and federal decision-makers in these offices on policy issues of importance to family medicine.
The CFPC also serves as a resource for Provincial Chapters.
