top of page

Public Affairs Committee

Annual Report (2025-2026)

Chair:

Dr. Elizabeth Shouldice

Read PDF report


Committee Overview 

Our committee engages in public advocacy for CAEP, advocating for emergency physicians across Canada. We engage with a variety of media to advocate for high quality emergency care, and develop policy and position statements about issues of concern for membership.  

 

Key Achievements and Highlights 

  • The publication of a policy statement regarding optimizing virtual care in emergency departments  

  • The publication of a policy statement regarding organization and system level harassment and bullying of emergency physicians  

  • Appeared at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA), testifying regarding a variety of issues surrounding emergency care.  

  • Ran the second Forum on the Future of Emergency Medicine, brining thought leaders, health officials and physicians together to create strategies for enhancing emergency care in Canada 

  • Had over 100 media appearances involving both CAEP Public Affairs Committee members and CAEP general membership between July 2025 and June 2026.

 

Impact and Outcomes 

  • Supports CAEP members by being their voice in the media and advocating for high-quality emergency care 

  • Specifically dispelling myths around emergency department crowding, wait times, and emphasizing access block as the root causes of negative outcomes in the ED 

  • Increasing provincial and federal awareness of challenges facing ED physicians and potential solutions 

  • Alignment with CAEP Strategic Priorities 

  • Advocating for emergency physicians and their patients 

  • Defining standards for emergency care 

 

Metrics

Top 5 advocacy social media posts between July 2025-June 2026:

  1. Mass gatherings put extra strain on our EDs


  2. ED overcrowding and long wait times aren’t emergency department problems — they’re system problems


  3. Overdose cases throughout Toronto


  1. Joint statement from CAEP and NENA


  2. Canada’s hospital emergency rooms have hit a breaking point


Challenges and Opportunities  

  • Continuing to ensure ED voices are at the table for key decision making 

  • Getting our message in front of the right people who can effect change 

  • Ensuring diverse representation in our group in both practice type and location and experience 

 

Looking Ahead 

  • Engage with MPs to increase presence at HESA  

  • Develop promotional material one-pagers on common ED myths and misconceptions 

  • Foster partnerships with other healthcare provider and advocacy groups to amplify our messages 

  • Develop ‘roadshow’ presentation that can be taken by PA Committee members to their local constituencies to engage healthcare decision makers  

 

bottom of page