The Wellesley Institute has urged Ottawa to use the federal budget as an opportunity support good health and foster health equity. Noting that 85 per cent of health risk is social, it called for a budget focused on addressing the social determinants of health. It called for significant investments in four areas: a ten year plan on mental health, safe, affordable and healthy housing, the eradication of poverty, and creating good jobs and working conditions. We share the view that such investments are critically needed to strengthen social protections and to assert the rights of disadvantaged groups.
“The upcoming Federal Budget and future COVID-19 recovery plans must establish a new normal to create a stronger, more equitable Canada. Wellesley has an operational model – the Thriving Income – of what it costs to thrive. We urge the government to adopt this as a target which will drive the important work they have done . . . These goals must be achieved equitably for all parts of our society, and must also eliminate chronic homelessness, poverty and fight racism in our systems and across society.”
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