Advocacy

Advocating for system improvements that nurture healthy work environments and foster the delivery of safe care

The CMPA advocates for system enhancements that allow physicians to focus on what they do best - providing safe, quality care to their patients.

Our data, research, insights, and unique perspectives enable us to provide unique input on key legislation, regulations, and policies on medico-legal issues as well as on a range of subjects that can affect the safety of care and the culture of healthcare environments.

Advocating on issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic

Throughout the pandemic, we continue to advocate on matters that impact the lives of both patients and physicians. We have advocated on:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Supporting the Canadian Medical Forum’s call to action on PPE, urging governments to develop recommendations that protect the safety of physicians and patients.
• Critical care triage protocols: Engaging with governments, Medical Regulatory Authorities and other healthcare stakeholders to support the development of critical policies, such as critical care triage protocols, providing physicians the guidance and support they need to care for their patients.
• Legislation for protection during COVID-19: Urging provincial governments across the country to enact legislation that provides medico-legal protection to physicians delivering care during COVID-19.
• Virtual care: Working with Colleges and provincial medical associations and federations to facilitate safe virtual care across provincial borders, enhancing access to needed COVID-19 care for patients.

Advocating for improvements to the Canadian medico-legal system

The CMPA recognizes that there are opportunities to enhance and effect positive change to the Canadian medico-legal system.

We are committed to working with our partners to support civil justice reforms that improve access to justice, shorten the time required to resolve cases (including alternative dispute resolution) and improve case management and proportionality in the adjudication of disputes.

This forms part of our commitment to you – our members and all patients - to bringing cases to an early and fair resolution while reducing costs for all parties.

For more information, visit Championing a fair medical liability system.

Collaborating for change with the Canadian Medical Forum

In Fall 2022, the CMPA joined twelve other national medical organizations to discuss issues of priority to physicians, their patients, and the Canadian health care system. This meeting was one of six that take place each year, for a gathering of Canada’s healthcare leaders known as the Canadian Medical Forum.

Formed in 1990, the Forum brings together leaders of Canada’s major national medical organizations to provide the opportunity for consultation, relationship and consensus building, strategy development and joint action, where appropriate.

In 2022, the CMF published an urgent call to action for health care system improvements in support of comprehensive primary health care. It also published a joint statements on bullying, attacks, and violence against health workers, and in condemnation of the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Each member of the consortium shares a semiannual overview of their activities, and of the various upcoming projects. The CMPA’s Fall 2022 report included highlights of our upcoming Strategic Plan, our EDI strategy, and exciting additions to the CMPA’s roster of learning products and services.

The CMF’s next meeting will take place in Spring 2023.