The Time for Bold Leadership in Canadian Healthcare is Now

Time for Action

I recently had the privilege of speaking to some of our future Canadian leaders about effective leadership principles. I'll be honest – I got emotional during that talk because the message hit close to home: our country desperately needs strong leadership right now, especially in healthcare.

The Power of Unapologetic Leadership

When I speak about leadership, I focus on what I call "unapologetic leadership." This means:

Values Over Fear

During the pandemic, my household faced a crucial decision: do we speak up about policies that concerned us? From school closures affecting our children's mental health to the disproportionate impact on racialized communities, from inadequate protection in nursing homes to the broader societal implications – speaking out carried real risks in an era of cancel culture.

But we chose to lean on our values. We believed in standing up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves. We wanted to be an example for our kids. That's the power of value-based leadership, and it's exactly what our country needs right now.

Favoring Action Over Permission

Too often, we get caught up waiting for perfect conditions or explicit permission. During the pandemic, we didn't wait. We created a metabolic health clinic for racialized communities. We organized fundraisers to feed frontline staff within a week. We launched Solving Wellness. We moved, we acted, we made things happen.

Yet today, we still face bureaucratic barriers that defy common sense. Want to help staff shortages in Manitoba as a healthcare professional from another province? Prepare for 4-8 weeks of paperwork. In a healthcare crisis, this is unacceptable. We need national licensure that allows medical professionals to practice across provincial borders. We've talked about this for years – it's time for action.

Fostering Creative Courage

I'll never forget the young respiratory therapist who spoke up during a crisis, suggesting an unconventional airway management technique (the "Hooper maneuver") that ended up saving a patient's life. This is what happens when we create environments where people feel safe thinking outside the box.

We need to move past either/or thinking in healthcare. The public vs. private healthcare debate is a perfect example. Instead of taking hardline stances, why not explore innovative hybrid solutions? Public-private partnerships, where public funds are strategically deployed through private sector efficiency, might offer new pathways forward.

A Call for Urgent Action

I've seen patients pass away due to lack of primary care and long emergency room wait times. This isn't a hypothetical crisis – it's happening now, and it demands the same urgency and innovative thinking we showed during COVID-19.

Moreover, we need to invest heavily in prevention. As an ICU doctor, I've witnessed countless patients endure difficult recoveries from critical illness. Many don't survive, and those who do often face a long, challenging road to recovery. We must do everything possible to prevent ICU admissions in the first place.

This means promoting:

• Better nutrition

• Regular physical activity

• Stress reduction techniques

• Strong social connections

Making Health a Priority

To our decision-makers: let's get serious about prevention. Consider tax rebates for healthy activities, discounted insurance for preventive care, and workplace wellness programs. Let's make getting healthy attractive again.

After my recent talk to government officials, I felt hopeful that these conversations can drive real change. But we need bold leadership to translate talk into action. The time for timid steps and endless deliberation is over. Our healthcare system – and our fellow Canadians – need bold, value-driven leadership now more than ever.