Bringing about a higher level of transparency and accountability in provincial and federal governments to help protect taxpayers from abuse
Canada “faces an important domestic and foreign money laundering threat” from criminal organizations that launder billions of dollars in this country.
The stiff warning comes from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which also sounds an alarm about the threat against “major financial institutions and some unscrupulous real estate lawyers” targeted by criminals involved in laundering money.
Several weeks ago I had coffee with a board member of one of British Columbia’s regional health authorities. In the course of our conversation, I mentioned the ongoing constitutional challenge to B.C.’s restrictions on patient access to private health care.
The nub of the plaintiffs’ case is that, if the government is not able to provide timely medical treatment to persons suffering on long waiting lists, it cannot at the same time legally prohibit these patients from taking control of the their own health and arranging for private treatment within the province.
It’s a straightforward question rooted in the Charter rights to life, liberty and security of the person: what right does the state have to control the choices we make about our bodies, particularly when we are suffering acute physical pain, mental distress, and financial hardship as a result of injuries or illnesses?
My coffee companion said the case reminded him of a recent visit he’d had from a delegation of Chinese government officials interested in learning about Canada’s health care system.