How to move forward

Canada's productivity problem is also a health problem. For decades, we’ve managed the two as separate files and Canada has paid twice: in worse health outcomes but also in lost economic output.

Through collaborative efforts, targeted improvements to health care could add over $25 billion to the Canadian economy—productivity reforms that benefit citizens in multiple ways.

By tracking the prevention and participation gaps, we can target investments where the productivity return is greatest, leveraging a certain portion of health spending to do more. The HPG gives governments, health care organizations, employers, and other stakeholders insights to act on, and a clear imperative: consider workforce health and productivity alongside every other driver of growth.

Get this right, and we don't just fix health care. We redefine what the economy is capable of, shaping how Canadians live and work, organizations perform, and Canada competes. We unleash the untapped productive capacity of our people, while improving a health care system that is core to the values and well-being of all Canadians.