On uniformity

While there's ample reason to be skeptical about how the Cons plan to handle health care over the next few years, let's note at least one indication that things could be worse:

Ottawa plans to negotiate a single national health accord, not separate agreements with each of the provinces and territories, the federal health minister says.

“We want one agreement,” Leona Aglukkaq said Monday in St. John’s. She said the position was non-negotiable.

Of course, the content of that single accord is rather important as well - and indeed there wouldn't be much to gain in the short term from Aglukkaq's declaration if (as expected) the Cons seek the lowest common denominator in setting any terms on federal funding.

But unless Aglukkaq and the Cons completely reverse course once again, the next round of health funding should leave intact something resembling national standards (however weak and poorly enforced), rather than setting up a patchwork of bilateral agreements which differ by province. And that common structure should make it slightly easier to repair the damage done over the past few decades the next time Canada has a federal government which actually wants to strengthen our health care system.