Five affordable ways to improve access to health care in 2026

Governments must find ways to reduce restrictions on where doctors can practise and barriers for international medical graduates, improve health data system, create AI guidelines, and lessen the health system’s carbon footprint.

Analysis also shows that Canada could save about $9.4-billion annually by maximizing health data, writes Dr. Margot Burnell.Pexels photograph by EVG Kowalievsk

Opinion

BY MARGOT BURNELL

January 5, 2026

UPDATED January 7, 2026

Health care in Canada is at a crossroads. With 5.9 million Canadians lacking a primary care provider and many more waiting far too long to receive care, governments responded in 2025 with an assortment of potential solutions to improve working conditions for health providers...

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