The government’s Speech from the Throne outlines several initiatives aimed at transforming healthcare in Prince Edward Island, but it is important to pause and critically assess the long-term implications of some of these changes. While the government claims to be focused on securing our healthcare system, their approach increasingly risks undermining the very foundation of that system: its public, universally accessible, not-for profit model.
The promise of better access to care, faster service, and the expansion of medical homes are all positive steps, but the emphasis on “thinking differently” and focusing on “partnerships with community-based providers” raises serious concerns. These vague mentions of “partnerships” highlight the growing inclination toward privatization, where private providers, rather than public institutions, may increasingly control aspects of our healthcare delivery. This trend is already visible in areas such as:
- the “community-based surgical model” for the Cataract Outpatient Clinic, operated by the “PEI Vision Surgical Centre” (a Trade Name owned by a numbered company (103202 PEI Inc.))
- the Mobile Mental Health Response service, operated by “Medavie Health Services”;
- the “PEI Unaffiliated Virtual Care Program” for Islanders without a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner to access primary care services, operated by “Maple”; and
- opening three (3) times the number of new private long-term care beds compared to the number of new beds they plan to open in public long-term care
The core issue here is that allowing for-profit business entities to become more deeply embedded in our healthcare system undermines its long-term sustainability. When profit motives dictate healthcare delivery, the emphasis shifts from providing equitable, quality care to maximizing profit margins. This could result in increased costs, less access for vulnerable populations, and ultimately, a two-tier healthcare system where those who can afford to pay have access to better, faster care, while others are left waiting.
While the government has made strides in recruiting physicians, increasing medical training, and expanding access to care, these initiatives are being undermined by the shift toward privatization. The creation of a “community-based surgical model” and an increased reliance on private long-term care facilities and other “key partnerships” are steps toward a system that may gradually push public healthcare aside, in favor of profit driven models.
A truly sustainable and equitable healthcare system should focus on securing public healthcare and ensuring that all Islanders, regardless of their ability to pay, have equal access to high-quality care. It’s not just about streamlining processes or increasing surgical options-it’s about preserving the integrity of the public system. We must focus on strengthening the existing public infrastructure, not shifting essential services into private hands where profit motives risk pushing equity out of the equation.
Islanders deserve better than a fragmented system where care is driven by profits, rather than people. I.U.O.E. Local 942 calls on the government to prioritize securing and strengthening our public healthcare system, ensuring that access to care remains universal, accessible, and of the highest standard for all Islanders. The healthcare system of tomorrow should be built on a foundation of public care that works for everyone, not one that is increasingly privatized and inequitable.
Chad McNeill, President IUOE Local 942