Canadian Medicare, which was inspired by public health insurance in Saskatchewan, is about half-a-century old. It remains a defining characteristic of Canada, part of an ideology of what it means to be Canadian. Politically unassailable, it remains at best a system with an average international performance. No serious student of Medicare would use today the old slogan that Canada has the best healthcare system in the world. Now comes Artificial intelligence and an aging population to challenge the system, as well as demands for extending Medicare to cover all pharmaceuticals. Would this be wise? Can it be afforded?
Jeffrey Simpson, an Officer of the Order of Canada, was The Globe and Mail’s national affairs columnist during which time he wrote about almost all the major Canadian public policy issues, and many international questions. He wrote seven books, one of which won The Governor-General’s award; another, on the Canadian health-care system, won the $50,000 Donner Prize for the best book on public policy. He has received eight honorary degrees, lectured at several dozen universities in Canada and abroad, and is a member of the Trilateral Commission and the Board of Governors of the University of Ottawa. He is a senior fellow at the Graduate School of Policy and International Affairs at that university.
Please note, this lecture will not be video conferenced, but a recording will be available on the website once it’s been edited. There is no cost to attend, but as space is limited, those interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.
Event Details
- When:
- Time:
- 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM CST
- Location:
- Prairie Room, Diefenbaker Centre Canada, University of Saskatchewan
- File:
- Event Communiqué