Surrey MP Sukh Dhaliwal introduces a bill to boost health care accountability, linking federal transfers to provincial transparency and patient access.
Surrey MP Calls for Stronger Health Care Oversight
Health care is back in the spotlight, and one Surrey MP says it’s time Canadians had clearer answers on where their tax dollars go. On September 22, Surrey-Newton Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal tabled a private member’s bill in the House of Commons. His goal? To make sure provinces deliver health care services with greater transparency and accountability.
What the Bill Proposes
Dhaliwal’s bill takes direct aim at how federal health transfers are used. If passed, provinces would only receive full funding if they publish a clear accountability framework. This framework would need to show Canadians that:
- Money is being spent efficiently
- Wait times are improving
- Care is accessible when and where it’s needed
The bill also calls for benchmarks on primary care, elective procedures, and emergency services, along with annual progress reports that track whether those targets are met.
Why It Matters to Canadians
Speaking to reporters, Dhaliwal said the measure is about building trust in a system that millions rely on daily. “Provinces will still run their own health care systems,” he explained, “but they’ll need to do so with more transparency. Canadians deserve to see whether progress is being made.”
For many patients, that transparency can’t come soon enough. A recent report by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) revealed that nearly 143,000 British Columbians walked out of emergency rooms in 2024 without receiving treatment. That’s a troubling figure in a province where more than 2.6 million ER visits were logged last year.
A Growing Crisis in Emergency Rooms
The MEI study also found a sharp rise nationwide. Across Canada, the number of patients leaving hospitals without treatment jumped by 35.6 per cent in 2024 alone.
Economist Emmanuelle Faubert, who authored the report, didn’t mince words. She argued that patients aren’t walking away because they feel better, but because they feel abandoned by the system. “Fixing primary care access is key,” she stressed. “If nothing changes, even more people will fall through the cracks.”
What Comes Next
Dhaliwal’s proposal will face its second reading debate in the House of Commons. While the bill emphasizes accountability, it also respects provincial control over health care delivery. The question now is whether lawmakers — and provinces — are ready to embrace more rigorous standards.
For Canadians tired of long waits and unanswered questions, the debate could shape how health care dollars are spent for years to come.
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