Modern health systems, like Canada’s, face similar pressures. Populations are aging, government revenues are dwindling, and the scope for new services is increasing as new technologies develop. However, each country is responding to these pressures in unique ways. Arguably, Canadians pay too...

Between 1999-2000 and 2010-11, total government program spending increased by 36.4%, from $7,505 per capita to $10,240 on a constant dollar basis. Nowhere is the need to bring expenditures and revenue into alignment more obvious and critical than in health care... with the population aging –...

Spending on healthcare in the western provinces and Canada has increased over time, outpacing growth in other government program spending. Further, the trend is expected to continue given the aging population and an increase in demand for new technology and treatments, which is a concern for the...

We know there is nothing more important to Manitoba families than the health of their loved ones. That’s why health care has always been our top priority. Mr. Speaker, we are focused on expanding care instead of costs.” (Manitoba Budget Address 2012, p. 3).

Health, as we all know, is by far the biggest part of the budget. And for years it has also been the fastest growing.... This government has reduced health-care administration costs to below the national average, and has cut the rate of growth of health spending. That is no small feat....”...

In 2007–2008, comparable health care expenditures stood at $425 Million. Since then, these costs have grown 7 per cent annually... [S]tatus quo growth of 7 percent per year in health care spending is simply not an option. The more we spend on health, the less we are able to address the other...

New Brunswickers have been clear about their priorities: they want quality, affordable health care and services for our seniors.” (2012/13 New Brunswick Budget, p. 14).

If we do not seize the opportunity now to begin creating a system that delivers more value for the money we spend, Ontarians a decade or two hence will face options far less attractive than the ones we face today.... [T]hey will be confronted with steadily escalating costs that force them to...

The health budget will continue to grow at a rate of 4.8% a year. ... [P]rogram spending growth targets have been set at 1.8% for 2013-2014....” 2013/14 Quebec Budget Speech (pp. 7 and 20).

No services are more important than the health and community services we deliver through our four Regional Health Authorities. This year, we will invest more than 40% of total [operating] expenditures – nearly $3 billion – in healthcare....” Newfoundland and Labrador 2012 Budget Speech (p....