The adage “if the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail” was demonstrated once again at the recent premiers’ discussion on health care held in Halifax.

They decided to elevate the fixes to, in the words of Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz, “the Premier level.”

Thus, instead of unleashing the innovation potential of those working in the system, the smothering command and control structure is to be moved up yet another level.


If all of this bureaucratese sounds familiar, you’re right. This is the 19th major examination of the Canadian health care system in the past 15 years. Yet, once again, the “nail” each study has continued to hammer is stuck in the paradigm that Canada’s health care system must remain a government-run monopoly.

http://www.thespec.com/opinion/colum...ir-health-care