Canada’s economic imperative: Health care, not sick care

Summary

• Healthcare must shift from being viewed as a budgetary “drag” to a strategic economic investment that drives national productivity
• Building more hospitals isn’t enough; without a new operating model, even new state-of-the-art facilities will face “hallway medicine” on day one
• We need to rewrite the playbook for the 21st century, prioritizing a digital-first experience, interoperability, and AI-driven “infinite care teams“
• Solving the workforce crisis requires increasing support for our clinicians and leveraging technology to reduce administrative burdens

I recently had the privilege of joining a panel of healthcare leaders at the Canadian Club Toronto to discuss a topic that is critical to Canada’s future: The Economic Imperative for Healthcare Renewal.

Moderated by Rola Dagher, the conversation reframed healthcare not just as a policy challenge, but as a central pillar of Canada’s economic prosperity. Sharing the stage with Karli Farrow (Trillium Health Partners), Dr. Dominik Nowak (Women’s College Hospital), and Amie Archibald-Varley (Health Equity Advocate), it became clear that while we have world-class talent, our system’s design is failing to keep up with demand.

Here are my major takeaways from the event and the path forward for Canadian healthcare:

1. Healthcare is an economic engine, not just a budget line

We often hear that we need a strong economy to fund healthcare. But the reality is, we need a strong healthcare system to have a strong economy. Right now, healthcare costs are consuming nearly 50% of provincial budgets—a figure that is climbing. As I mentioned during the panel, it’s like a “Pac-Man in the corner,” eating up capital that could otherwise be invested in education, infrastructure, and innovation.

When healthcare becomes a drag on the economy rather than an enabler of a healthy workforce, productivity suffers. Canadians suffer. We need to flip the script. By investing in a system that keeps Canadians healthy, rather than just treating them when they are sick, we can turn healthcare into a competitive advantage for Canada.

2. We can’t build our way out of this crisis

Karli shared a sobering statistic about the new Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital—a massive infrastructure project currently underway. She noted that if we do not change the current operating model of healthcare, that state-of-the-art facility will open with 300 patients waiting in hallways on day one.

This illustrates perfectly why bricks and mortar alone are not the solution. Illness is growing 3.6 times faster than the population due to aging and chronic disease complexity. We need to shift care upstream, moving from a reactive model centered on hospitals to a digitally-enabled, proactive model centered on community and home. We must measure success not by how many beds we fill, but by how many people we keep out of the hospital through better primary and preventative care.

3. It’s time to rewrite the playbook with digital and AI

The Canada Health Act was written for a different century, focused on doctors and hospitals. To serve Canadians in 2030 and beyond, we need a new vision that puts the person at the center.

This means a digital-first experience must be the norm, not the exception. It is unacceptable that in 2026, patient data is not flowing seamlessly between providers. We need true interoperability so that every Canadian has a holistic view of their health. The reintroduction of the Connected Care for Canadians Act is a good first step. 

Furthermore, we must fully embrace AI. AI is not just about efficiency; it offers the promise of an “infinite care team“. AI can support patients every single day—closing gaps in care, managing chronic conditions, and nudging people toward prevention before they end up in an emergency room. The technology exists today; we just need the courage and political will to scale it.

4. Restoring the workforce through support & innovation

We cannot discuss renewal without addressing the crisis facing our healthcare workers. As Amie passionately highlighted, nurses and frontline staff are dealing with profound moral injury and distress, leading to an exodus from the profession.

Dr. Nowak spoke about the need to bring joy back to medicine by removing the heavy administrative burdens that plague clinicians. This is where technology plays a crucial role. By automating administrative tasks and providing intelligent tools, we can free up our world-class doctors and nurses to do what they do best: care for Canadians. 

The time for talk is over 

The consensus from the panel was clear: the status quo is no longer an option. We are in a pivotal moment where the cost of inaction threatens the very things we value as Canadians. 

But there is also immense opportunity. By embracing a digital-first approach, rewriting our outdated models, and treating healthcare as a strategic economic asset, we can build a system that works for everyone. 

At League, we are committed to this vision—delivering high-engagement, personalized healthcare experiences that empower people and drive better outcomes.

The time for talk is over. Government, insurers, providers, employers, and technology partners need to act and invest now. 

Let’s stop admiring the problem and start rewiring the system into one that meets Canada’s needs now in the in the future. 

View the event recording to hear more from Karli, Amie, Dr. Nowak and Rola.