Physiotherapy — A remedy to the Canadian healthcare crisis

Feb 5, 2024

OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) recently submitted its Pre-Budget recommendations to the Department of Finance, focusing on two key areas that would immediately empower the physiotherapy profession to help alleviate the urgent health human resource shortage in Canada and enable improved access and care for patients.

This most recent proposal builds upon the advocacy work in Fall 2023 and reinforces the position that the physiotherapy profession remains an underutilized resource. If action is taken, physiotherapy would be able to directly address and alleviate the healthcare challenges Canada faces. This includes enabling physiotherapy professionals to order diagnostic imaging (x-rays, diagnostic ultrasound) and laboratory tests in all jurisdictions.

“This year, we’ve focused our submission on recommendations in two key areas that will drive more equitable access of physiotherapy care across Canada,” says CPA President Allison Stene. “With inclusion of the profession in the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and the standardization of scope of practice of physiotherapy, our proposed solutions directly address the barriers to care faced by Canadians, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.”

This latest submission is part of a multi-year strategy undertaken by the CPA in achievement of its practical vision to become the voice of the profession and fuel its advancement in the Canadian healthcare landscape. With input from physiotherapy professionals across Canada as well as CPA-led teams in Advocacy, Professional Practice and Marketing, the proposal put forth is a result driven by extensive collaboration with both internal and external partners.

“Our ongoing advocacy efforts at the CPA have established strong working relationships with our peers and other healthcare professions,” says Krissy Bell, CPA CEO. “The CPA is committed to working in partnership with them and our government to unearth actionable solutions that will deliver positive outcomes for Canadians. Supporting our work could resolve many of the healthcare challenges that Canada faces today.”

As integrated healthcare strategies are explored, other healthcare professional partners have expressed their support for the inclusion of the physiotherapy profession in this new model of care.

 To read the full CPA Pre-Budget Submission, click here.

ABOUT THE CPA

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) represents physiotherapy professionals, including registered physiotherapists, physiotherapist assistants, physiotherapy technologists, and students across Canada. Physiotherapy professionals provide essential rehabilitative care and treatment, enabling Canadians to live well and actively participate in all facets of their lives.

CONTACT

Rani Chatoorgoon
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
rchatoorgoon@physiotherapy.ca

Kayla Scott
Senior Director, Advocacy
kscott@physiotherapy.ca