Political changes and healthcare in Canada

Under pressure from his own political party, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on 6 January 2025, after a 10 year tenure as leader of the country’s Liberal Party and federal government. Retrospective scrutiny of his political record has begun, including his government’s legacy in healthcare. Canada has traditionally been regarded as a health centred nation because of its universal healthcare system.1 However, Trudeau’s legacy in healthcare is undeniably chequered, leaving in question whether different policy initiatives, and indeed the public system itself, can withstand the challenges generated by US policies under President Donald Trump and the possible election of a non-centrist Conservative government in Canada in the coming months.

The Liberal government’s most impactful contributions have been in tackling the upstream determinants of health. The increase in child benefit—a monthly cash benefit launched in 2016—has reportedly reduced poverty by 11% in families headed by a single mother and by nearly 17% in two parent families.2 The Federal government also made progress on improving water quality on the reserves of First Nations’ communities.3 However, other initiatives, …