Four areas of the health care industry in Canada that are largely private and that work well.

Four areas of the health care industry in Canada that are largely private and that work well.

The recurring problems with which Canadian patients are faced, such as overcrowded emergency rooms and the inability of seeing a doctor when you need to, regularly occupy the front pages of our daily newspapers. In international rankings, Canada systematically finds itself at the bottom of the pack, among the countries where waiting times for health care are the longest. Yet there exists another health care system, an essentially private one that works well but that does not always get the credit it deserves.

Medical fees and competition.

To what extent should tobacco products be taxed?

Private non-profit hospitals are contributing positively to European health care systems.

Few topics of public debate elicit more emotion in people than the role of the private sector in health care. It is often argued that profit has no place in this sector, especially when it comes to hospital care. Some people think that the profit motive would encourage "the cutting of corners," that profit would add to the cost of providing a service, or that for-profit medical facilities would avoid the more complex cases or those perceived to be "less profitable." Are these beliefs justified?

To what extent should tobacco products be taxed?

The harmful effects of waiting lists for patients.

The harmful effects of waiting lists for patients.