Dissenting Report on the Report on Health Services Provided to Canadian Forces Personnel with an Emphasis on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Presented by the Bloc Québécois

The Bloc Québécois contributed significantly to the report on Health Services Provided to Canadian Forces Personnel with an Emphasis on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Although the report contains recommendations we endorse, the disregard for Quebec’s jurisdiction for health is a major stumbling block.

We do not want to unduly criticize the federal government’s actions with regard to health as long as it acts within its areas of jurisdiction. However, there has been a consistent trend at the federal level: its lack of expertise in health care provision. The federal government is closely involved in providing health care to Aboriginal peoples and military personnel, and we note a serious limitation in the quantity and quality of services. The federal government has the worst record with respect to Aboriginal peoples, and similar difficulties have been noted with regard to the Canadian Forces.

The Canadian Forces must often compete for the limited supply of health care professionals, leading to duplication. This is harmful for both levels of government.

Competition is proof that the federal government is not self-sufficient and must rely on the provincial public sector to meet its demand for services.

The federal demand for services also impacts the provincial government. Increased demand due to significant military presence in a region directly affects physician supply for civilians. The waiting list and wait time for taxpayers in hospitals are increasing.

We know that the department currently plans to increase recruitment efforts and strengthen retention measures, which will inevitably increase the number of military personnel. Moreover, the war in Afghanistan has a huge impact on the health of military personnel. It is certainly at higher risk given the difficutly of the work. Inevitably, the demand for health services will increase and the Canadian Armed Forces will have to rely on new personnel to meet their needs.

As stated in the Constitution of Canada, the federal government has jurisdiction over the “militia, military, naval service and defence”[64]. With respect to restructuring health care services provided to Canadian Forces personnel, the goal should not be to impose a new way of managing the health system on the provincial government. It already has a well-established health care system. We support the provincial government in retaining full control of its internal management.

At this time, the two levels of government must proceed by way of administrative agreements. There are two departments, two public services, one pool of services for both levels, which creates duplication as well as more red tape and bureaucratic rivalry. In our opinion, the federal government should instead provide the provinces with the financial resources required to meet their real needs.  

The Bloc Québécois nevertheless regards recommendations 3, 4, 5, 18, 24 and 29 as clear interference in the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces for health. In reading this report, it appears that the Committee did not take into account the specific characteristics and jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces for health care services. We accordingly object to this report since the federal government has not demonstrated respect for the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces for health.