Celebrating 60 years of universal health care in Canada

In 1966, former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s government passed the Medical Care Act, which led the way to universal health care in Canada.

In honour of this 60th anniversary, the Pearson Centre will honour four outstanding individuals who have led the way in advancing health care in Canada, and exemplify the type of innovation, collaboration and co-operation that Canadians are rightly proud of in our health care system.

Hon Elinor Caplan, former Ontario health minister. The Honourable Elinor Caplan has spent her public life tackling some of the most consequential health challenges facing Ontario and Canada — from HIV/AIDS and reproductive health to pandemic preparedness and the future of home care.

Caplan became a household name as Ontario’s Minister of Health from Sept 1987- October 1990.   During the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Caplan provided leadership at a time when governments were confronting a deeply challenging public-health crisis. She led Ontario’s delegation to the World AIDS Conference in Stockholm, bringing Ontario’s experience and perspective to the international response to HIV/AIDS.

In 1988, following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Morgentaler, Caplan made the courageous decision that abortions would be covered by OHIP. Her ministry also moved to establish standards and monitoring for abortion services, recognizing that access had to be accompanied by safe, high-quality care.

That combination — access, quality and accountability — became a defining feature of Caplan’s approach to health care. She believed that governments should not simply fund health services; they should ask whether patients are getting better care and is the system is delivering on outcomes.

After serving as Ontario’s Health Minister, Caplan continued that work federally as a Parliamentary Secretary, where she focused on pandemic preparedness. She helped advance work intended to ensure Canada was better prepared for a future pandemic — work that was ultimately shelved years before COVID-19 exposed the consequences of gaps in pandemic readiness.

After retiring from elected public life, Caplan returned to health policy as an independent leader and chaired a review of Ontario’s home-care system. Her report “Realizing the Potential of Home Care: Competing for Excellence by Rewarding Results, 2005” examined the challenges facing patients, caregivers and providers and helped identify ways to improve the stability and quality of care delivered in people’s homes. The Ontario government subsequently described her recommendations as a roadmap for improving the CCAC system and committed $30 million to implement them.

Across these chapters of her career, Caplan’s contribution to health care has been consistent: address emerging challenges, make difficult decisions, measure what matters, and keep the focus on the quality and outcomes of care for patients.

Dr. Mark Greenberg, founder, Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) In 1983, he proposed, and later implemented, a standardized, provincial registry and database on childhood cancer, and all medical directors agreed to contribute. The organization grew, and in 1991 he became President – a position he held until 2000.  Ontario is the only province with a group like POGO focused on kids and young adults with cancer, and it follows these kids throughout their lives.  Dr. Greenberg has created a system in Ontario for kids, their families and their care teams that is the gold standard in Canada and one we wouldn’t have without his vision.

Dr. Jim Woodgett, President and Scientific Director, Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI).  He is also a Senior Scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health and Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto.  Since its inception, the TFRI has invested in groundbreaking scientific projects that accelerate discoveries for the benefit of cancer patients. Today, this investment expands beyond its flagship basic science and translational research programs. With support from partners across the country, including the Government of Canada, it now leads two innovative projects that embody Terry Fox’s spirit and unite our country to improve the lives of cancer patients through precision medicine.  If we could recognize every cancer researcher in Canada, and everyone involved in TFRI and Marathon of Hope, we would.  Someone recently asked Dr. Woodgett  if we are at our “moon shot” moment in cancer research, and he said we were.

John Valliant, Professor Emeritus, Chemistry & Chemical Biology, scientist and entrepreneur. Canada is a leader in nuclear medicine, research and radiopharmaceuticals, but when it comes to translating our discoveries to patients and the private sector we are sorely falling behind.  Valliant has been a leader in recognizing and breaking down the barriers between academia, patient needs and the private sector.   He and his partners founded the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization in 2008.  The Centre was instrumental in the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, and has launched several successful radiopharmaceutical companies.  He was also founding CEO of Fusion Pharmaceuticals, which was eventually purchased by AstraZeneca.  Valliant is known for his mentorship of students in his research lab, many of whom have gone on to be leaders in the nuclear sector.  “Professors tend to proudly keep tabs on the students who pass through their research groups. If that record is like a family tree, Valliant has an entire forest.”