Nova Scotia Refugee Claimants with Halifax Refugee Clinic in English

‘PrimaryCare withLoveand Respect’

Aconversationaboutprimarycarewith refugeeclaimantsinHalifax

September

Introductionandabout theRoundtable

OurCareisapan-Canadian conversationwithmembersofthe publicaboutthefutureofprimary care.TheprojectisledbyDr.Tara Kiran,afamilyphysicianand researchscientistbasedatSt. Michael’sHospital,UnityHealth Toronto,andtheUniversityof Toronto.Therearethreephasesto theproject:anationalsurvey, provincialprioritiespanels,and communityroundtables(seeAbout OurCareonpage22fordetails).

Inordertodesignahealthcare systemthatmeetstheneedsof everyone, theneedsof equity-deservingcommunitiesmust becentredintheconversation.The communityroundtablesaimtolearn fromcommunitiesthatare historicallyexcludedorconsistently underservedbytheprimarycare system.Twocommunityroundtables werehostedinNovaScotia,oneto engageAfricanNovaScotiansand thisone,toengagerefugee claimants,individualswhohave madeaclaimforprotectionin Canada.

OurCarepartneredwiththeHalifax RefugeeClinic,anorganizationthat providessettlementservicesto claimants,aswellastheNovaScotia HealthAuthoritytohearfromrefugee claimantsintheHalifaxarea.As refugeeclaimantsaremembersof communitieswithalottocontribute butrarelyengaged,thiscollaboration wasafirstbetweentheorganizations inthiscapacity.Asexpressedduring theroundtable,moreopportunitiesto sharetheirvaluableperspectivesand expertisewouldbewelcomedby refugeeclaimants.

TheRefugeeClaimantCommunity RoundtablewasheldonSaturday, September23,2023,attheImmigrant ServicesAssociationofNovaScotia’s (ISANS)MumfordCentrelocation. Participantsmetforsixhourstolearn abouttheprimarycaresystem,share theirperspectives,andgenerate ideasforchangetoaddresstheir concerns.Theywerejoinedbytwo guestspeakers,AmandaCarey,a registerednurseworkingatNova ScotiaHealth’sNewcomerClinic,and Dr.RuthLavergne,aresearcherwith

DalhousieUniversityMedicalSchool’s DepartmentofFamilyMedicine, who spokeonthecurrentstateofthe primarycaresysteminNovaScotia andtheOurCareproject,respectively. Eachpresentationwasfollowedbya questionandanswerperiod.

Participantsspentthebulkoftheday togetherinsmallgroups,sharing whathasandhasnotbeenworking fortheirhealth,anddiscussing possibleremediestotheirconcerns. Thisreportreflectsthethemesand recommendationsidentifiedbythe roundtableparticipants.

WhoWeEngaged andWhy

Refugeeclaimants,likeanyother newcomersinCanada,haveboth urgentandongoingneedsforhealth care,butoftenexperiencechallenges accessingcare.Formanyclaimants inNovaScotia,needsarenotbeing metbythehealthcaresystemand theirvoicesareunder-representedin publicforums.Theroundtablewas organizedtoredressthissystemic exclusionofrefugeeclaimantsand elevatetheirperspectivesin addressingthechallengesfacing primarycare.

Thankstotherecruitmenteffortsof theprojectpartners,theroundtable participantswereadiversegroupof communitymembers.The24 participantswhoattended representedabroadrangeofages, countriesoforigin,andlanguages. Theroundtableincludedrefugee claimantswhowereservedbythe HalifaxRefugeeClinicandresided acrossthemunicipality.Theevent wasconductedinEnglish,Spanish, andHaitian-Creole,with interpretationandbilingual facilitatorstofacilitateparticipation

acrossthedifferentlanguagegroups. Thelinguisticdivisionreflectedthe highpercentageofSpanish-and HaitianCreole-speakingclients receivedbytheHalifaxRefugeeClinic inrecentyears.Toensurethe roundtablewasaccessible, participantswereofferedstipends andequity-basedsupport.

Thisyearhasseenmorethan96,000 refugeeclaimantsprocessedacross allportsofentryinCanada.1People claimingrefugeestatushavebeen forcedtofleetheirhomesdueto issuessuchasconflictorpersecution, andcometoCanadafortheir security.Asaresult,manyhave experiencedsignificanttrauma, havinghadtheirpreviouswork, school,andfamilylivesdisruptedby eventsoutsideoftheircontrol. Despitethesecircumstances,many refugeeclaimantslookforwardto engagingwithandcontributingto theirnewcommunities.Tofully accessCanada’sservicesand institutions,claimantsmustgo throughextensivebureaucratic processestobecomeresidents,

1https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/asylum-claims/asylum-claims-20 23.html

whichoftentakesyears.Duringthis time,refugeeclaimantsareleftwith minimalaccesstoserviceswidely availabletopeoplewithCanadian citizenshiporotherclassesof immigrationstatus.Thisincludes restrictionsontheabilitytowork, attendpost-secondaryeducation, andinsomecasessecurehousing. Refugeeclaimantsalsohaveto managethestressoftheirprecarious residencestatus.While government-sponsoredrefugees oftenreceivesignificantsupportand refugeestatusuponarrival,those whomaketheirclaimuponarrivalin Canadaarenotguaranteedtheir stayinthecountry.2Astheyarenot guaranteedextendedstayinCanada untiltheirclaimisaccepted,many livewiththefearofrejectionand possibledeportationfromthe country.

InNovaScotia,newcomer organizationssuchastheHalifax RefugeeClinicexisttosupport claimantsinapplyingforpermanent residenceandsettlement.However, despitetheirvaluableservice,they arenotbeingscaledorresourcedto meetthedemandofthegrowing newcomerpopulationin municipalities.3

2https://ccrweb.ca/sites/ccrweb.ca/files/static-files/glossary.PDF,1

Insomecases,thelackofsettlement servicesorthelackofawareness abouttheseservicesleadsmigrants toleavetheprovince.4Notbeingable toaccessnewcomerservicescan resultinsignificantbarriersfor claimantsintheiradjustmenttoa newcountry.Thisincludesbarriersto education,employment,andnotably, healthcare.

Refugeeclaimantsalsoexperience differentaccesstohealthservices comparedwithotherCanadian residents.Mostpeoplewhoare citizens,permanentresidents,orwho holdsomeotherformsoftemporary immigrationstatusareeligiblefor coverageunderprovincially administeredhealthinsuranceplans. Refugeeclaimantsarecoveredunder theInterimFederalHealthProgram (IFHP).However,notall healthcareprovidersarefamiliar withthisprogramoracceptthisform ofinsurance.Thismaymeanthe primarycareexperiencesofpeople whohavecometoCanadaas refugeeclaimantsdiffersubstantially fromotherpeoplelivinginCanada.

3https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/immigration-report-survey-newcomers-serviceorganizations-ymca-1.6934356

4https://oag-ns.ca/sites/default/files/2022-11/Interactive%202022%20Immigration%20and%20 Population%20Growth_0.pdf,36

Difficultyaccessinghealthcare servicesisanissuethataffectsmany acrossthecountry.Refugee claimantsarenotcoveredbyNova Scotia’sMedicalServicesInsurance (MSI)butdohaveadedicated pathwaytohealthcarethroughthe InterimFederalHealthProgram (IFHP).IFHPcoverageislimited, however,andcanresultin low-qualitycareforclaimants.5In NovaScotiamostprimarycareclinics donotacceptIFHP,andthosethatdo arelargelylocatedinurban

areassuchasDartmouthorHalifax, andofferlimitedwalk-inservices,not ongoingcare.Servicesreceivedare morelikelytobereactivethan preventative.Thesebarrierstocare alongwiththestigmaand uncertaintyofnothavingsecure residencystatuscontributeto negativehealthoutcomesfor refugeeclaimants.TheCommunity Roundtablewasconvenedtolearn moreabouttheseissuesfrom refugeeclaimantsandtoheartheir ideasonhowtoaddressthem.

5https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/ help-withincanada/health-care/interim-federal-health-program/coverage-summary.html

WhatWeLearned

Throughoutthesession,the participantsspenttimeinsmall groupdiscussions,sharingtheir experiencesandidentifyingthe needsoftheircommunities.

Participantswereprovidedwiththe followingpromptstoframetheir conversation:

● Whathaveyourexperiences accessingprimarycarebeen likesofar?

○ Whatproblemsand challengeshaveyou encountered?

● Improvingprimarycareforyour community

○ ReflectonthePanel recommendations?

Anythingmissing?

○ Identifyideastoimprove accesstoprimarycare forrefugeeclaimants

Theirconversationshavebeen organizedintoThemesthathighlight theexperiencesandchallengesthey sharedandIdeasforChangethat detailpotentialsolutionssharedby participantsduringtheroundtable discussions.

Themes

Throughouttheroundtable conversations,participantsdiscussed thedeficienciesofthecurrenthealth caresystem.Someofthebarriers identifiedarethoseexperiencedby thegeneralpopulation,suchas:

● Scarcityoffamilydoctorsand longwait-listsforbothprimary careandhealthcareservices. Manysharedtheirexperiences ofwaitingforextendedperiods forcare,withsomesharing examplesofthenegative outcomesitledto.

● Geographicalbarriers,assome individualsfounditchallenging toreachtheirappointments duetolackoftransitoraccess tochildcare.

● Disorganizedcare, characterizedbyunclear instructionsandalackof follow-upafterappointments, leavingpatientsuncertain abouthowtoproceedafter receivingdiagnosticservices.

● Inabilitytoaccessone’sown healthinformation,which contributestotheuncertainty afterreceivingservices.

Outsideofthebarrierslistedabove, participantsdiscussed,atlength,the uniquebarriersfacedbyrefugee claimantsinNovaScotia.The followingthemesoutlinetherecurring barriershighlightedduringthe roundtable.

A.GapsintheInterimFederalHealth Program

Acriticalchallengehighlightedbyall participantswastheirownlackof knowledgeregardingtheInterim FederalHealthProgram(IFHP)6 benefits.Manyspokeaboutthelack ofknowledgeoftheservicescovered bytheIFHPandthedifficulty accessinginformationonthebenefits duetolackofavailability.Forsome, thishasresultedintheirreceiving unexpectedbillsfromcareservices, causingfinancialstrainandstress.

ThislackofunderstandingoftheIFHP extendstocareprovidersaswell. Participantssharedthatclinicians andotherserviceprovidersareoften unawareofthedetailsoftheIFHP, andareuncertainabouthowto proceedwhenpatientsdonothave provincialinsurance.Insomecases, thishasledtopeoplebeingdenied carethatshouldbecoveredunder theIFHP.Thisconfusionoverthe

programextendsbeyondclinical healthcaresettings.Participants notedinstanceswheretheschool systemwasunawareofIFHPbenefits forchildren,leadingtoconfusion amongfamilieswhentheirchildis deniedhealthservicesinschool settings.

B.LanguageBarriers

Asubjectdiscussedatlength throughoutthedaywerethe challengesthatlanguagebarriers posetoaccessingcare.Duetothe uniqueandpersonalnatureofhealth care,theabilitytocommunicate one’sneedseffectivelyisessential. Throughouttheday, members sharednegativeexperiencesinthe caretheyreceiveddueto miscommunicationbetweenpatients andcareprovidersor misunderstandingofpatientneeds. Ofnote,participantssharedalarming anecdotesofindividualsbeing deniedaccesstohealthcaredueto theabsenceofinterpretation services.Thisbarriercreatedan environmentwherepeoplewere hesitanttoseekmedicalcarewhen theycouldnotnavigateitina languagetheycouldspeak comfortably.

6 https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-healthprogram/coverage-summary.html

12

Participantsreportedthatthereisa criticalneedforreadilyavailableand accessibleinterpretationservices withinthehealthcaresystem.They alsoadvocatedforspecialized trainingforinterpretersto communicatehealthmatters effectively.Ensuringthatlanguage doesnotactasadeterrenttohealth careaccessisimperativeto guaranteeequitableandinclusive careforall,particularlyforrefugee claimantswhoseprimarylanguageis notEnglishorFrenchinNovaScotia.

C.Uncertaintyregardinghealthcare costs

Manyparticipantscametothe countrywiththeperceptionthatall essentialhealthcareservicesare fullycoveredinCanada.Thelackof clarityregardingthecostofcareand treatmentinCanadawasa significantconcernsharedby participants.Thecoststofill prescriptionsortoaccessemergency serviceswerebothasurprise,and theseandothercostsrepresenta barriertohealthyoutcomesfor refugeeclaimants.Unexpectedbills forhealthcareservicescause financialstressandconfusionamong thoseaffected.

Theseexperiencessharedthroughout theengagementillustratetheurgent needforimprovedcommunication andeducationabouthealthcare coverageandcosts,toensurethat refugeeclaimantshavethe necessaryinformationtomake informeddecisionsabouttheirhealth careutilizationandfinances.

D.PatientEmpowerment

Throughoutthesession,many participantsexpressedastrong desiretoplayanactiveroleintheir wellnessandcare.Manycitedhow beingengagedintheirowncarecan helptoaddressbarriersinaccess andhealthsystemcapacity. However,thelackofaccesstotheir informationhascreatedsignificant challengestobeinginvolvedinone's owncare.Participantsproposed creatingmechanismsforindividuals tohaveaccesstotheirownhealth recordsandprescriptions.This includessolutionssuchasonline portalsforindividualstoaccesstheir recordselectronically.Participants outlinedhowtranslationsoftware accessedviasmartphonesandweb browsersmakesiteasiertoengage withdocumentsonline.Theywenton todescribehowthiswouldallow

themtobemoreknowledgeable abouttheirhealthneedsandbe proactiveabouttheircare.Many highlightedhowhavingaccessto patientrecordscouldhelpalleviate pressureontheoverburdenedhealth systeminNovaScotia.Having medicalrecordsaccessibleto patients,electronicorotherwise,can reducerelianceonandcare providersandgivethemtimeto performothertasks.

Roundtableparticipantsalsospoke atlengthaboutthedesiretobemore engagedinhealthcareprovision. Manydiscussedhoweveryday residents,includingnewcomersand refugeeclaimants,haveimportant perspectivesonhowtoimprovecare forthemselvesandtheir communities.Thelackofquality engagementinserviceprovisionwas seenbyparticipantsasamissed opportunity.Manyexpressedthe desiretoseeadditionalmechanisms andopportunitiestobeableto providefeedbackontheir experiencesinhealthcareandhelp shapethesysteminthefuture.

E.NewcomerSystemNavigators

Asentimentsharedbyallroundtable participantswasthepositiveimpact ofnewcomernavigationservices.

Citingtheirexperienceswiththe HalifaxRefugeeClinic(HRC), participantsreferencedpractices suchastranslationsupportand navigationservicesasonesto emulate.Whenfacedwithadifficult situationsuchasasurprisehospital bill,staffattheHRCwereableto advocateonpatients’behalfandfind solutionsthatsupportedrefugee claimants.

WhiletheHRCwasviewedas exemplary,therewasawide acknowledgementthattheHRCstaff cannotmeettheneedsofthe growingnumberofclaimantsontheir own.Theroundtableparticipants expressedthedesiretoseemoreof theresourcesthattheHRCoffers throughoutNovaScotia.Thisincludes increasingthecapacityofexisting newcomernavigationservices throughadditionalfundingand integratingtheserviceswithother careprovidersinNovaScotia.Overall, participantsbelievedthattheHRC modelhasbeeneffectivein improvinghealthoutcomesand addressingsystemicbarriersfaced byrefugeeclaimants,thoughasa legalclinicitisnotdirectlysupported aspartofthehealthcaresystem.

F.LeveragingExperiencefromOther PartsoftheWorld

Anotherprominentissuediscussed duringtheroundtablewasthe difficultyfacedbyinternationally trainedmedicalprofessionalsin utilizingtheirskillswithinthe Canadianhealthcaresystem. Participantscitedthecurrent system'sinabilitytorecognizeforeign credentialsasakeybarrier.This makesitsignificantlymoredifficultto integratenewprofessionalsintothe Canadianhealthcareworkforce.The requirementforforeign-trained professionalstostarttheirtraining fromthebeginning,coupledwiththe factthatpeoplewhoarerefugee claimantsarelimitedintheiraccess toformaleducationinCanada,was citedasprohibitiveforanyclaimant seekingemploymentinthehealth caresystem.Toparticipantsthis seemslikeawasteofvaluabletalent andresourcesthatcouldbeusedto advanceprimarycareinNovaScotia, andatatimewhenmorehealthcare professionalsarebadlyneededinthe province.Thisbarrieralsohas financialrepercussionsforpeople whosecredentialsarenot recognized,asforeign-trained professionalsareforcedtotakejobs belowtheirskillleveltocover expensessuchascostofliving.

G.EmpoweringRefugeeClaimants

Participantsalsohighlightedthat refugeeclaimantsarenotpermitted topursuepost-secondaryeducation, whichlimitstheirpotentialtodevelop skillsandcertificationsthatwould allowthemtoreachtheirpotential andfullycontributetolifeintheirnew community.Thehighcostof post-secondaryeducationin Canadaalsoprecludesmany refugeeclaimantsfromenrollingin health-relatedprograms,evenifthey wereallowedtopursuethis. Participantshighlightedprograms suchasthetemporarypathwayto permanentresidenciesformedically trainednewcomerstoCanada, introducedduringtheCOVID-19 pandemic,asonestobecontinued andbuiltupon.7

Thosewhoattendedtheroundtable expressedastrongdesiretoworkin Canadaandcontributetothe solutionstotheissuesfacingtheir communities.Manycitedtheneedfor Englishlanguagetrainingtobeable toreachtherequiredproficiency leveltowork.However,limited resourcesandlongwait-listsfor Englishlanguageeducationmake thisadifficulttask.Remediessuchas prioritizinghealthcare-specific Englishlanguagetrainingforthose

15 7https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instruction s-agreements/permanent-residence-healthcare-pandemic-canada.html

withinternationalmedical credentialswereproposedtohelp streamlinesomeoftheeducation systems.

Ideasforchange

1.Addresslackofawarenessand clarityregardingtheInterimFederal HealthProgramthroughthefollowing actions:

● Ensurethatallrefugee claimantsareprovidedwith clearinformationabout coverageundertheInterim FederalHealthPlan,what associatedcoststoexpect,and otherprogramsthatare availabletothem;

● Createresourcesshowingthe clinicsinNovaScotiathat accepttheInterimFederal HealthProgram(e.g.Scotia SquareinHalifaxandTacoma inDartmouth),toensure claimantsareawareofthe careoptionsaroundthem;

● Providetrainingtohealthcare providersaboutcoverage throughtheInterimFederal HealthProgramand refugee-specificservices.

2.Ensureallcareinstitutions, includinghospitalsandclinics,inthe provincehavemultilingualcapacity throughthefollowingactions:

● Createstandardsforhealth careinstitutionsthatrequire themtohaveconnectionsto interpreterswhocanbemade availableforthosewhorequire interpretation;

● Equipemployeesofhealthcare institutionswiththeknowledge ofservicesthatserverefugee claimants;

● Expandtheavailabilityof newcomernavigationservices toareasacrossNovaScotia.

3.Createopportunitiesforrefugee claimantsalreadyinCanadato contributetothehealthcaresystem throughthefollowingactions:

● Createprogramsthat streamlinethetransferof credentialsformedical professionalsfromother countries;

● Continueandexpandexisting pilotprogramsthatallow streamedpathwaysto permanentresidencyfor claimantswithprevious medicaltraining;

● PrioritizeEnglishlanguage trainingforpeoplewith internationalhealthcredentials:

○ Createhealth care-specificstreamsin Englishlanguage programstoeasethe transitionfornewcomers wantingtoworkincare settings;

● Expandaccesstomedical schoolsandotherhealthcare trainingbyreducingthe barrierstothecostsofhigher educationforrefugee claimants.

4.Empowerrefugeeclaimantstoplay anactiveroleintheirownhealthcare throughthefollowingactions:

● Createmechanismstoprovide easilyaccessibleaccessto one’sownmedicalrecords, prescriptions,andfollow-up notesfromappointments;

● Establishadditional mechanismstoprovide feedbackonexperienceswithin healthcare;

● Developopportunities,similar totheCommunityRoundtable, forrefugeeclaimantstobe abletosharetheirexperiences withinhealthcarewith policymakersandengagein solutionstoimprovingcare withinNovaScotia.

5.Ensureuptakeofthe recommendationsfromtheOurCare NovaScotiaPrioritiesPaneland CommunityRoundtablesthroughthe followingactions:

● EnsurethattheIdeasfor Changeinthisreportare includedalongsidethe recommendationsofthe OurCareNovaScotiaPriorities Panels;

● Ensurethattheperspectivesof refugeeclaimantsareincluded intheoverallBlueprintforthe FutureofPrimaryCare;

● Identifyfacetsofthehealth caresystemthatalignwiththe recommendationsproduced bytheOurCarePanelsand Roundtablestoassistwiththeir implementation

Acknowledgments

TheOurCareprojectteamgratefullyacknowledgestheleadershipofour communitypartnersinthedevelopmentandhostingoftheRefugee ClaimantCommunityRoundtable.Theprojectteamthanksthosewho volunteeredtheirtimetoparticipateintheroundtableandworktowards improvingcarefortheircommunities.Theroundtablewasmadepossible bythecontributionsof:

MaribelPalaciosDuarte,SettlementWorker,andJulieChampagne, ExecutiveDirector,HalifaxRefugeeClinic

TheHalifaxRefugeeClinicisanon-profit,community-based organizationwhose missionistoprovidefreelegalandsettlement servicestorefugeeclaimantswhoareunabletoaffordtheservicesof privatelegalcounselandofferthemsupportandrepresentationwhile theyseekasafehaveninNovaScotia.

KoltenMacDonnel,HealthServicesManager,PrimaryHealthCare& DepartmentofFamilyPractice,NovaScotiaHealthAuthority

NovaScotiaHealthisthelargestproviderofhealthservicesinNova Scotia.The24,000-personworkforceprovideshealthcareandsupport servicesinhospitals,healthcentres,andcommunity-basedprograms acrosstheprovince.

GuestPresenter:PrimaryCare101

AmandaCarey,RegisteredNurse,NewcomerHealthClinic

AregisterednurseattheNewcomerHealthClinic,Amandahasmade globalhealthpartofherprofessionalandpersonallife.TheNewcomer HealthClinicprovidespreventativehealthandprimarymedicalservices forgovernment-assistedrefugees,privatelysponsoredrefugeesand refugeeclaimantsinthegreaterHalifaxarea.Amandaisa graduateof theglobalHealthOfficeSummerPrograminTheGambiaandTanzania; agraduateoftheAdvocatesinGlobalHealthCertificateProgram;local co-coordinatorfortheNorthAmericaMobilityProjectNursingExchange Program;andherinvolvementwiththeWHO/PAHOCollaboratingCentre.

RoundtableTeam

TheOurCareRefugeeClaimantCommunityRoundtablewasdeveloped andmanagedbyMASSLBP.MASSisCanada'srecognizedleaderinthe designofdeliberativeprocessesthatbridgethedistancebetween citizens,stakeholders,andgovernment.Formorethanadecade,MASS hasbeendesigningandexecutinginnovativedeliberativeprocessesthat helpgovernmentsdevelopmoreeffectivepoliciesbyworkingtogether withtheirpartnersandcommunities.Findoutmoreatmasslbp.com.

OurCarePrincipalInvestigator

Dr.TaraKiran

Familyphysician,St.Michael'sHospitalAcademicFamilyHealthTeam; Scientist,MAPCentreforUrbanHealthSolutions,St.Michael'sHospital, UnityHealthToronto;FidaniChairofImprovementandInnovation, UniversityofToronto

OurCareNovaScotiaPrimaryCareCo-LeadsforNovaScotia

Dr.RuthLavergne

AssociateProfessor,DepartmentofFamilyMedicine,DalhousieUniversity

TierIICanadaResearchChairinPrimaryCare

Dr.KathStringer

FamilyPhysician,SpryfieldClinic,DalhousieFamilyMedicine;Department Head,DepartmentofFamilyMedicine,DalhousieUniversity

NationalProjectDirector

JasminKay

Director,MASSLBP

Moderator

ChimwemweAlao

SeniorConsultant,MASSLBP

Illustration

MarijaMladenović

InterpretersandBilingualFacilitators

ProvidedbyAccessLanguageServicesInc.

AboutOurCare

OurCareisapan-Canadianconversationwitheverydaypeopleaboutthefuture ofprimarycare.TheprojectisledbyDr.TaraKiran,afamilydoctorand renownedprimarycareresearcherbasedinToronto.OurCarehasthreestages:

1. NationalResearchSurvey

ThesurveywasonlinefromSeptember20toOctober25,2022.Morethan 9,200Canadianscompletedthesurvey,sharingtheirperspectivesand experiences.VoxPopLabsco-designedandexecutedthesurvey.

2. PrioritiesPanels

PrioritiesPanelswereheldinfiveprovinces:NovaScotia,Quebec,Ontario, BritishColumbia,andManitoba.MASSLBPco-designedandexecutedthe panelswithOurCareadvisorsandlocaldeliverypartners.

3. CommunityRoundtables

Communityroundtableswerehostedineachofthefiveprovinces, focusingonhistoricallyexcludedgroupsthatwedidnothearenoughfrom duringstages1and2.MASSLBPco-designedandexecutedthe communityroundtableswithOurCareadvisorsandlocalcommunity organizations.

OurCareProjectPartners

OurCareisfundedby:

HealthCanada

HealthCanadaistheFederaldepartmentresponsibleforhelpingCanadians maintainandimprovetheirhealth,whilerespectingindividualchoicesand circumstances.Productionofthisdocumenthasbeenmadepossiblethrougha financialcontributionfromHealthCanada.Theviewsexpressedhereindonot necessarilyrepresenttheviewsofHealthCanada.

MaxBellFoundation

MaxBellFoundationbeganmakinggrantstoCanadiancharitiesin1972.Today, theFoundationsupportsinnovativeprojectsthataredesignedtoinformpublic policychangeinfourprogramareas:Education;Environment;Health&Wellness; andCivicEngagement&DemocraticInstitutions.TheFoundationalsodelivers thePublicPolicyTrainingInstitute,aprofessionaldevelopmentprogram designedtohelpparticipantsmoreeffectivelyengageinthepublicpolicy process,andPolicyForward,afuture-orientedspeakerseriesthatbringsthought leaderstogethertodiscusstheintersectionsofpolicy,technology,and innovation.

StaplesCanada—EventheOddsCampaign

StaplesandMAPhavecometogethertocreateEventheOdds:aninitiativeto raiseawarenessofinequityinCanadaandtohelpbuildvibrant,healthy communities.Thepartnershipisbasedonthesharedbeliefthateveryone shouldhavetheopportunitytothrive.EventheOddsfundsresearchand solutionstohelpmakethefuturefairforeveryone.Learnmoreat staples.ca/eventheodds.

OurCareSupporters

OurCareisbasedat:

MAPCentreforUrbanHealthSolutions

MAPCentreforUrbanSolutionsisaresearchcentrededicatedtocreatinga healthierfutureforall.Thecentrehasafocusonscientificexcellence,rapid scale-upandlongtermcommunitypartnershipstoimprovehealthandlivesin Canada.MAPisbasedatSt.Michael’sHospitalinToronto.

St.Michael’sHospital,UnityHealthToronto

St.Michael’sHospitalisaCatholicresearchandteachinghospitalindowntown Toronto.ThehospitalispartoftheUnityHealthTorontonetworkofhospitalsthat includesProvidenceHealthcareandSt.Joseph’sHealthCentre.

OurCareissupportedby:

DepartmentofFamily&CommunityMedicine,UniversityofToronto

TheUniversityofToronto’sDepartmentofFamily&CommunityMedicineisthe largestacademicdepartmentintheworldandhometotheWorldHealth OrganizationCollaboratingCentreonFamilyMedicineandPrimaryCare.

St.Michael’sFoundation

Establishedin1992,St.Michael'sFoundationmobilizespeople,businessesand foundationstosupportSt.Michael’sHospital’sworld-leadinghealthteamsin designingthebestcare–when,whereandhowpatientsneedit.Fundssupport state-of-the-artfacilities,equipmentneeds,andresearchandeducation initiatives.BecauseSt.Michael'sFoundationstopsatnothingtodeliverthecare experiencepatientsdeserve.

AdvisoryGroups

OurCareisguidedbyseveralnationalandprovincialadvisorygroups comprisingclinicalleaders,representativesfromprofessionalorganizations, researchers,healthsystemadministrators,andpatients.Theadvisorygroups havehelpedshapeeachphaseoftheinitiative.TheOurCareNovaScotia ProvincialAdvisoryGroupprovidedinputintopopulationsoffocusforthetwo communityroundtablesinNovaScotiaandmembershelpedmakerelated connectionstolocalcommunityorganizations.Afulllistofadvisorygroup membersisavailableontheOurCarewebsite.

TolearnmoreaboutOurCare,pleasevisitourcare.ca.

OurCareisfundedby

OurCareisbasedat OurCareissupportedby