CBC Archives

Engage in a class discussion about the issue of Medicare in your province or territory. Have the students describe their recent experiences with the medical system as well as any information they have gotten from the media. Ask them if access to the medical system is an issue for them at their age. Do they think their parents/guardians and grandparents might have a similar or different perspective on the issue?

Consider inviting a speaker to the classroom, such as someone from the medical system, who could outline current issues in providing medical service to the public.

Ask students to spend 20 to 30 minutes reviewing the information on the Medicare topic of the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. They will use this information as historical context for their assignment.

Assign each student one of the four topics below, described on the Curing Health Care link at http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/healthcare/.

1. From QE II Health Sciences Centre, February 10, 1999
2. Health Reform: The Historic Struggle
3. Cuts & Consequences: Coping with Change
4. Today’s Pain…Tomorrow’s Gains? The Search for a Cure

Students are to examine the information about their topic as presented on the Web site and create a set of notes that highlight the most important material. Tell them to keep in mind the question “Can Canada’s health system be cured?” as they do their research.

When each student has his or her notes, create groups of four with one student representing each topic. Have students share what they learned about the issue of health care in Canada, going in numerical order, starting with number 1 above.

Have each group prepare a concise written report on the question “Can Canada’s health system be cured?” Encourage students to outline the most significant issues facing Canadians with regard to accessing the health care system, and to explain what they would suggest if they had five minutes to spend with the Prime Minister discussing this topic.

Have students complete online research to find the results of the Romanow Report on Health Care (2002). Have them discuss Romanow’s recommendations and whether they think those recommendations are feasible for Canadians and their governments.