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As the voice of family medicine in Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) actively promotes family medicine and primary care to elected officials and decision-makers.
Health care, and in particular primary care and family medicine, is dynamic. New technologies, new policies, new evidence, new ways of practicing medicine impact the way family doctors work. As the voice of family medicine in Canada, we work with elected officials and key federal decision-makers to ensure that they are kept apprised of new developments in family medicine as well as new initiatives and policy papers by us.
Our Health Policy and Government Relations Department monitors federal and provincial politics, keeping current on policies and legislation that affect primary care and family medicine. At times we collaborate with other medical and health care organizations to influence policies and laws.
When necessary, senior leaders from the CFPC meet with Members of Parliament and members of the public service.
We also serve as a resource for our provincial chapters.
The recent discussions regarding the proposed small business tax changes brings the CFPC to offer comments pertaining to potential negative consequences with regard to the broader issues of physician compensation and access to care. Read the letter sent to Minister Morneau outlining the CFPC’s concerns on the proposed changes.
UPDATE (September 19, 2017): CFPC representatives have since met with the Minister’s office to discuss the issue. Read the follow-up letter.
The federal government has recently focused on the funding of mental health care services in its discussions with Provinces and Territories around a new Health Accord. The CFPC joined with the Canadian Psychiatric Association to write to Health Minister Jane Philpott with our guidance on how mental health services can be better integrated with primary care. Read the letter.
The 2016 Report Card grades the federal government’s performance in 23 areas of importance to health care in Canada, across five main themes. This new document updates the grades from the CFPC’s 2013 report.
The CFPC supports motion M-46, tabled by MP Charlie Angus calling on the government to implement a Pan-Canadian Palliative and End-of-Life Care Strategy. Learn more.
The CFPC has prepared a submission to the Department of Finance’s 2016 pre-budget consultations. Focusing on the areas of Home Care, Child and Youth Health, and the Patient’s Medical Home, the submission makes recommendations for targeted investments in programs that focus on vulnerable populations within Canada.
On October 1, 2015, The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) offers its support to the Campaign for National Drug Coverage that calls for universal prescription drug coverage to everyone in Canada. Learn more.
On behalf of the Executive and Board of The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), our 38,000 family physician members, and the leadership of our Provincial/Territorial Chapters across the country, we wish to express our deepest sympathies in learning of Senator Pierre Claude Nolin’s death. Read the letter.
From Red to Green. From Stop to Go. Recommended actions to improve home care and child and youth health.
On Nov 12, 2014 The College of Family Physicians of Canada released a follow-up document to the 2013 Report Card, entitled “From Red to Green. From Stop to Go. Recommended actions to improve home care and child and youth health”. The document provided specific recommendations on federal government participation in two key areas of health care that received a grade of red in the 2013 report card.
On October 6th, 2014, the CFPC sent a letter to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander concerning to the government’s decision to appeal the July 4th Federal Court ruling that requires the federal government to reverse its cuts to refugee health care. Read the letter.
On September 25, 2014, the CFPC congratulated fellow family physician, Dr. Greg Taylor on his appointment as Chief Public Health Officer. Learn more.
This briefing note provides some background into how child poverty is measured, how Canada fares next to other nations, and what strategies are employed in more successful countries. Learn more.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) presented a family medicine perspective on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the National Anti-Drug Strategy in its letter to Mr. Greg Loyst, Director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate. Read the letter.
On January 7, 2014, the College of Family Physicians of Canada wrote a letter to Charlie Angus, MP in support of his motion (M-456) advocating for a Pan-Canadian Palliative and End-of-life Care Strategy. Read the letter.
On December 12, 2013, the College of Family Physicians of Canada wrote a letter to Health Minister, Rona Ambrose, supporting Bill C-17, Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act (Vanessa's Law). Read the letter.
On November 28, 2013, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) wrote a letter to federal Health Minister, Rona Ambrose, to reconsider the decision to approve generic oxycodone. Read the letter.
On November 19, 2013, the College of Family Physicians of Canada wrote a letter to Green Party leader Elizabeth May in support of her private member’s bill (C-442) advocating for a Lyme Disease Strategy. Read the letter.
On November 6, 2013, The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) released a report card entitled “The Role of the Federal Government in Health Care”. This report card rates the federal government’s involvement across five areas, including supporting care for the most vulnerable, setting a national health strategy, and developing and implementing national programs such as home care and immunization.
On October 23, 2013, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) wrote a letter to Dr. Djaouida Sellah MP in support of Bill C-523, Disclosure of Drug Shortages. Read the letter.
On April 19, 2013, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada wrote a letter to Health Minister, Leona Aglukkaq, regarding the debacle of faulty birth control that reached consumers in Canada, and the inquiry into the undue delay in notifying women and their health care providers of the error. Read the letter.
On February 8, 2013, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) wrote a letter to Ms. Libby Davies MP in support of Bill C-460, Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada. Read the letter.
In partnership with numerous health care organizations and citizen groups, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) signed on a joint statement of support for Bill C-460, the Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada Act. Read the statement.
On February 15, 2013, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) wrote a letter to The Honourable Scott Brison MP in support of motion M-315, which directed the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) to undertake a study on the effects of income inequality. Read the letter.
On November 21, 2012, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) wrote a letter to federal Health Minister, Leona Aglukkaq, responding to her recent announcement regarding the release of generic forms of OxyContin. Read the letter.
In cooperation with our national health care colleagues, the CFPC is pleased to support a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper regarding a plan to reduce sodium consumption by Canadians in the interest of their health and well-being. Read the letter.
On August 12, 2011, the CFPC submitted its 2012 pre-budget brief to the Standing Committee on Finance. The brief presented three recommendations focusing on timely access, chronic disease management, and value for money. Read the submission.
On June 14, 2011, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, Canadian Medical Association, and The Canadian National Specialty Society for Community Medicine(NSSCM) wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper stating that Canada must eliminate asbestos production and exportation, and encourage economic activity that does not endanger the public’s health.
Read the letter.
In cooperation with 8 national health practitioner organizations, the CFPC sent a letter to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney responding to the government’s decision to cancel supplemental health benefits for refugee claimants under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Read the letter.
