Government Relations

The CFPC calls on the federal government to invest in primary care through its election pledge of $3.2 billion. Proper system infrastructure, appropriate remuneration, increased resources to support team-based models of care, and increased system capacity are urgently needed.
Read our submission letter.

The CFPC has submitted a series of recommendations to inform the federal government’s 2022 budget that 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 has joined with more than two dozen health and agriculture organizations to support the federal government’s intention to adopt front-of-package nutrition labelling in Canada. Read the letter to Ministers Hajdu and Bibeau (June 29, 2021).

The CFPC supports Bill C-220, which seeks to amend the Canada Labour Code to extend bereavement leave for employees. Read our letter to Matt Jeneroux, MP (June 4, 2021).

The CFPC supports a national pharmacare program based on universal access and embraces the principles of comprehensiveness, universality, and equality. Read our letter to Peter Julian, M.P. (December 3, 2020).

The CFPC has written to Mr. O’Toole to offer our congratulations on being elected the new Conservative leader on August 24th. The CFPC expressed interest in meeting to discuss supporting investment in primary and working together to ensure the diverse health care needs of Canada’s population are being met, for the benefit of all.
Read our letter to Mr. O’Toole (August 31, 2020).

The CFPC has written to the Prime Minister to reiterate its key health care priorities and provide recommendations in advance of the upcoming Speech from the Throne. The CFPC encouraged continued progress containing COVID-19 and mitigating adverse effects on health and well-being of all, across Canada. Read our letter to Prime Minister Trudeau (August 31, 2020).

The CFPC and its Alberta Chapter stand together on advocacy efforts to encourage the Alberta government to continue productive negotiations with the Alberta Medical Association. CFPC President, Dr. Shirley Schipper, sent a letter to Alberta Health Minister to oppose unilateral cuts and rebuild working relationships.
Letter to Alberta Health Minister Shandro (August 21, 2020).
 

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) commends the Minister of Health for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides messages to be shared with the people of Canada about continuing to receive care from family physicians. Read our letter to Minister Hajdu.

The Hon. Patty Hajdu was appointed Canada’s new Minister of Health on November 20th, after the recent federal election resulted in the Liberal party forming a minority government. The CFPC has written to Minister Hajdu to offer our congratulations on her appointment and to express our commitment to furthering our shared priorities to improve Canada’s health care system. Read our letter to Minister Hajdu.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) applauds the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health for recommending a universal, single-payer, public pharmacare plan.

The CFPC commends the recommendation for a universal public pharmacare plan

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is concerned that health care funding announced in the 2018 federal budget falls short of supporting and sustaining health care into the future.

Federal Budget 2018 falls short on health care

Recent discussions regarding proposed small business tax changes led the CFPC to comment on the potential negative consequences to physician compensation and access to care.

Letter to Finance Minister Bill Morneau outlining the CFPC's concerns on proposed changes (August 28, 2017)

Update: CFPC representatives have since met with the Minister's office to discuss proposed small business tax changes.

Follow-up letter to Deputy Director of Tax Policy Elliot Hughes (September 19, 2017)

The federal government recently discussed funding of mental health care services with Provinces and Territories in the context of a new Health Accord. The CFPC joined with the Canadian Psychiatric Association to write to Health Minister Jane Philpott with the CFPC's guidance on how mental health services can be better integrated with primary care.

Letter to Health Minister Jane Philpott (January 26, 2017)

The 2016 Report Card grades the federal government's performance in 23 areas of importance to health care in Canada, across five main themes. This document updates the grades from the CFPC's 2013 report.

The Role of the Federal Government in Health Care: Report Card 2016

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology recently released the report, Obesity in Canada: A Whole of Society Approach for a Healthier Canada. The CFPC has summarized the report in a briefing note, for the purpose of discussing the report and the health implications of obesity in Canada.

The CFPC's briefing note for the March 2016 report, Obesity in Canada: A Whole of Society Approach for a Healthier Canada

The CFPC supports motion M-46, tabled by MP Charlie Angus, calling on the government to implement a Pan-Canadian Palliative and End-of-Life Care Strategy.

Letter to MP Charlie Angus (March 30, 2016)

The CFPC prepared a submission for the Department of Finance's 2016 pre-budget consultations, with a focus on home care, child and youth health, and the Patient's Medical Home. The submission recommends targeted investments in programs for vulnerable populations within Canada.

A submission to the Minister of Finance: Pre-Budget 2016 Consultations (January 21, 2016)

The CFPC offered its support to the Campaign for National Drug Coverage that calls for universal prescription drug coverage for Canadians.

News release: CFPC Encourages Progress toward Universal Pharmaceutical Coverage (October 1, 2015)

Condolences on behalf of the CFPC, its members, and Provincial/Territorial Chapters on Sen. Pierre Claude Nolin's death.

Letter to Sen. Claude Carignan, P.C. (April 28, 2015)

The CFPC released a follow-up document to the 2013 Report Card, From Red to Green. From Stop to Go. Recommended actions to improve home care and child and youth health . The document recommended the federal government participate in two key areas of health care that received a grade of red in the 2013 report card.

From Red to Green. From Stop to Go. Recommended actions to improve home care and child and youth health

The CFPC's supporting reference document, Red to Green Campaign: Recommendations 2014 (November 12, 2014)

The CFPC sent a letter to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, concerning the government's decision to appeal the July 4th Federal Court ruling that requires the federal government reverse its cuts to refugee health care.

Letter to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (October 6, 2014)

The CFPC congratulated fellow family physician, Dr. Greg Taylor on his appointment as Chief Public Health Officer.

Congratulatory letter to Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Greg Taylor (September 25, 2014)

This briefing note provides some background on how child poverty is measured, how Canada fares next to other nations, and what strategies are employed in more successful countries.

The CFPC Report Card Issue Briefing – Child Poverty (September 8, 2014)

The CFPC presented a family medicine perspective on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the National Anti-Drug Strategy in its letter to Mr. Greg Loyst, Director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate.

Letter to the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning Director Mr. Greg Loyst (March 4, 2014)

The CFPC wrote a letter to MP Charlie Angus in support of his motion (M-456), advocating for a Pan-Canadian Palliative and End-of-life Care Strategy.

Letter to MP Charlie Angus (January 7, 2014)

The CFPC wrote a letter to Health Minister, Rona Ambrose, supporting Bill C-17, Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act (Vanessa's Law).

Letter to Health Minister Rona Ambrose (December 12, 2013)

The CFPC wrote a letter to Health Minister Rona Ambrose, to reconsider the decision to approve generic oxycodone.

Letter to Health Minister Rona Ambrose (November 28, 2013)

The CFPC wrote a letter to Green Party leader Elizabeth May in support of her private member's bill (C-442), advocating for a Lyme Disease Strategy.

Letter to Green Party leader Elizabeth May (November 21, 2013)

On November 6, 2013, the CFPC released the report card, The Role of the Federal Government in Health Care. This report card rates the federal government's involvement across five areas, including supporting care for the most vulnerable, setting a national health strategy, and developing and implementing national programs such as home care and immunization.

The Role of the Federal Government in Health Care: Report Card 2013 (November 6, 2013)

The Role of the Federal Government in Health Care: Report Card 2013 Reference Document (October 2013)

The CFPC wrote a letter to Dr. Djaouida Sellah MP in support of Bill C-523, Disclosure of Drug Shortages.

Letter to Dr. Djaouida Sellah MP (October 23, 2013)

The CFPC and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada wrote a letter to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, regarding the debacle of faulty birth control that reached consumers in Canada, and the inquiry into the undue delay in notifying women and their health care providers of the error.

Letter to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (April 19, 2013)

The CFPC wrote a letter to MP Libby Davies in support of Bill C-460, An Act respecting the implementation of the Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada.

Letter to MP Libby Davies (February 8, 2013)

In partnership with many health care organizations and citizen groups, the CFPC signed a joint statement of support for Bill C-460, the Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada Act.

Joint statement of Canadian Health and Citizens' Groups in support of Bill C-460, Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada Act

Parliamentary proceedings on Bill C-460:

• November 5, 2012
• February 1, 2013
• May 1, 2013
• May 3, 2013

The CFPC wrote a letter to The Honourable Scott Brison MP in support of motion M-315, which directed the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) to undertake a study on the effects of income inequality.

Letter to MP Scott Brison (February 15, 2013)

Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) news release: Income Inequality in Canada (March 18, 2013);

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance announced that it will begin a study on income inequality in Canada in April 2013.

The CFPC wrote a letter to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, responding to her recent announcement regarding the release of generic forms of OxyContin.

Letter to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (November 21, 2012)

In cooperation with eight national health practitioner organizations, the CFPC sent a letter to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney responding to the government's decision to cancel supplemental health benefits for refugee claimants under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).

Letter to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney (July 5, 2012)

In cooperation with national health care colleagues, the CFPC supported a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper regarding a plan to reduce sodium consumption by Canadians in the interest of their health and well-being.

Supported letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper (January 2012)

The CFPC submitted its 2012 pre-budget brief to the Standing Committee on Finance. The brief presented three recommendations on timely access, chronic disease management, and value for money.

A Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance: Pre-Budget 2012 Consultations (August 12, 2011)

The CFPC, Canadian Medical Association, and The Canadian National Specialty Society for Community Medicine (NSSCM) wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper stating that Canada must eliminate asbestos production and exportation, and encourage economic activity that does not endanger the public's health.

Letter to the Prime Minister (June 14, 2011)