Doug Thomson
CEO, Canadian Orthopaedic Association

Canada decided 40 years ago that relative medical necessity rather than relative ability to pay should be the determining factor in accessing the health care system. This principle of access has been widely accepted and, indeed, is legislatively protected. But while the principle of accessibility has been protected in legislation, the notion of timely access has never been explicitly recognized. Many Canadians are today increasingly worried that “access” may be a hollow notion. Not surprisingly, the number one public policy issue for Canadians (and certainly for the orthopaedic profession) has become “timely access to care.”

Dennis W. Jeanes

Special to the Canadian Orthopaedic Association

Quebec rightly prides itself on a language and culture that is distinct from the rest of Canada. Another point of distinction — although perhaps less a source of national pride, given the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent verdict that it failed to meet reasonable expectations — is Quebec’s health care system in general, and orthopaedic care in particular.