As Ontario’s election campaign intensifies and international trade tensions mount, healthcare accessibility and affordability dominate public discourse.
The February 17 Ontario election debate saw party leaders sharply criticizing Ontario Premier Doug Ford on issues like healthcare, affordability, and housing, pointing to low housing starts and unmet targets for building 1.5 million homes. As the election approaches on February 27, 2025, the Liberals are ahead of the NDP but still trailing the Progressive Conservatives in the polls.
Recent Nanos Research polling showed the Progressive Conservative Party holding a 19-point lead over the Ontario Liberals, with Ford maintaining a strong preference as the top choice for Premier. Based on a three-day survey ending February 16, 2025, the poll revealed the PCs at 46.4%, followed by the Liberals at 27%, the NDP at 17.9%, and the Greens at 6.7%.
A new poll by the Ontario Medical Association showed 68% of Ontarians believe the healthcare system has worsened under Doug Ford, with 83% citing increased wait times for surgeries and specialist appointments. Marit Stiles and the NDP promised to fix the healthcare crisis by recruiting new doctors, investing in healthcare, and reducing wait times through comprehensive reforms.
Ford then criticized the housing records and plans of the other candidates but declined to answer questions from reporters after the debate as he had another event to attend.
Political observers warned that the Ontario provincial election is overshadowed by international issues like Donald Trump’s tariffs and the Liberal leadership race, potentially benefiting Ford. As voters grapple with these distractions, Ford is using his international profile to strengthen his campaign.
Still adding to the citizens’ worries, U.S. President Trump has announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on pharmaceuticals, imported cars, and microchips starting in April, claiming the move will boost domestic manufacturing despite concerns over inflation. The announcement comes alongside an executive order directing a review of psychiatric and weight-loss drugs for children, citing potential threats, and establishing a “Make America Healthy Again” commission led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The directive, following concerns about overprescription, joins other Trump administration health policies facing legal challenges, including restrictions on gender transition care and vaccine information.
The pharmaceutical industry has responded with strong opposition to these tariff plans. Industry leaders, including PhRMA head Stephen Ubl and other major drug CEOs, are meeting with U.S. President Trump to push for changes in federal drug price negotiations. A Black Book Research survey highlights widespread concern among U.S. healthcare leaders about tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, predicting increased medical costs and supply chain disruptions. The report highlighted concerns over rising pharmaceutical prices, hospital cost-shifting, insurance premium hikes, and supply shortages, with industry experts warning of long-term financial and regulatory challenges.
The Association for Accessible Medicines warned that Trump’s new tariffs could worsen drug shortages and increase costs for generic and biosimilar medicines. CEO John Murphy III urged the administration to reconsider, emphasizing that generic manufacturers operate on thin margins and that previous Trump policies avoided such tariffs to protect patient access.
Political responses include Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledging strong retaliation while remaining open to diplomatic solutions. Conservative MPs, including James Bezan and Rachael Thomas, emphasized the party’s readiness to govern, framing the tariff threat as validation of their policies on trade, energy, and national security.
In other news, Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King has announced his resignation, effective February 21, 2025. Reflecting on his six-year tenure, King highlighted his government’s management of various crises, including the pandemic and hurricanes, while implementing significant healthcare reforms and social programs. His departure marks another shift in provincial leadership during a period of healthcare system transformation.
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