IF NOTHING ELSE, the past year has shown us that when faced with adversity, Canadians rise to the challenge. This continues to be most evident in our healthcare ecosystem, where governments, healthcare professionals, first responders, and industry leaders have worked tirelessly to navigate one of the most unrelenting health crises the world has ever faced.
However difficult, the challenges brought about by COVID-19 have taught us valuable lessons that will be critical to our ongoing response to the health issues of today — and those that will impact us in the future.
The pandemic has brought to light many of the difficulties that have plagued our health system for years. For instance, Canadians across the country have long experienced challenges gaining timely access to primary care — particularly the estimated five million people without a family physician and those living in rural or remote communities. With limited options, many of these citizens have frequently turned to hospital
