The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) shares the concerns raised by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) regarding the ongoing crisis in emergency care across the country. For many years, our system has been overwhelmed by staff shortages, overcrowded hospitals, inadequate physical acute care capacity, and lack of access to primary care, particularly in rural areas where closures due to insufficient staffing have become the norm. These challenges are not just operational hurdles but critical threats to the health and well-being of Canadians and the healthcare workers who serve them.

Until recently, emergency departments (ED) were the one door “always open”, the safety net for patients as other system failures let them down. As such, EDs bear witness to the suffering that these failings cause, and emergency physicians have invaluable insight into the system changes needed to address these persistent issues. CAEP is committed to leading this change, as evidenced by the EM:POWER Report on the Future of Emergency Care and the subsequent national forum held this past spring.

The EM:POWER report outlines a clear and actionable path forward. This report serves as a beacon, guiding the way toward a more resilient, responsive, and integrated emergency care system that meets the needs of all Canadians.

We fully support the CMA’s call for coordinated long-term planning and implementation of evidence-based solutions. CAEP is prepared to facilitate this process through fostering the necessary collaborations, advising on innovations, and sharing solutions. We echo the urgent appeal for comprehensive strategies to retain and support our healthcare workforce, expand system capacity, and optimize the use of government investments.

As we navigate these challenges, CAEP remains dedicated to ensuring that emergency care in Canada is robust, sustainable, and accessible for everyone. We urge governments and healthcare leaders to embrace the recommendations in our EM:POWER report and work with us to ensure that Canadians no longer face such profound access to care interruptions in the summer and throughout the year. Together, we can achieve the change our healthcare system so desperately needs.

Contact:

Christina Bova

Director, Member Engagement and Advocacy

Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians

cbova@caep.ca | 613-793-0926