The problems with the tax exemption for employer-paid health and dental benefits portend a larger problem with Canada’s tax system.
health insurance
December 22, 2016
3:37PM
September 30, 2015
2:24PM
Health insurers enter and exit markets all the time—they aren't prevented from offering plans in other states.
August 20, 2014
6:00AM
“Don’t touch my free health care,” is a common refrain from defenders of the status quo whenever anyone broaches the topic of reforming Canada’s health-care system.
October 8, 2013
2:00AM
The season finale of the popular U.S. drama Breaking Bad brought with it renewed interest in a viral internet meme that implicitly suggested that the entire story might not have taken place had the main character, Walter White, lived in Canada. The meme suggests that within minutes of being diagnosed with cancer, Walt's "free" treatments would begin the very next week.
May 17, 2013
2:00AM
For many Canadians, the Victoria Day long weekend marks the beginning of summertime holiday planning, if not a late May escape after a long winter. For those who travel outside of the country in the coming months, we have a modest proposal: find a pub, sit down with locals and ask about their nations health care system.
May 15, 2012
2:00AM
With the turning of the calendar to May, the effort to complete our income tax returns will slowly start to fade from memory.
April 18, 2012
2:00AM
February 1, 2012
2:00AM
Facing a $16-billion deficit, the Ontario government announced it will stop funding a handful of medical services currently covered by the public health insurer. This should come as no surprise, as it has become the norm in Ontario as well as other Canadian provinces. This is because cost-containment strategies such as rationing access to medical services are intrinsic characteristics of single-payer health insurance.
January 18, 2012
2:00AM
As the premiers meet this week in Victoria, a number of provinces are clearly distressed about the federal governments plan to reduce the automatic annual increase in health transfers from the current six per cent to the rate of economic growth starting in 2017-18. While the announcement has not been applauded by most premiers and their respective health ministers, it is long overdue.