Capital gains change: CMA ‘deeply concerned’ about impact on health care

The Canadian Medical Association says it is “deeply concerned” about how the federal government’s plan to increase the capital gains inclusion rate could further harm the health-care system.

capital gains change: cma ‘deeply concerned’ about impact on health care

In a statement Thursday, the CMA says the rate change proposed in the federal budget will worsen barriers to retaining and recruiting physicians as Canadians continue to struggle with access to care.

“The reality is that the federal government is putting at risk its own health care agenda, which is contingent on broadening access to family medicine, the foundation of our health care system,” CMA president Dr. Kathleen Ross said in the statement.

Ross says physicians are feeling “betrayed, discouraged and deflated” by the tax change, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced will start June 25 this year.

“We must not create more roadblocks that will add further stress to the health workforce or prevent prospective physicians from choosing to practise in Canada,” Ross said.

capital gains change: cma ‘deeply concerned’ about impact on health care
0:51 Trudeau confirms capital gains tax changes will kick in as of June 25

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled the federal government’s 2024 budget on April 16, which included a proposal to raise the inclusion rate — the portion of capital gains on which tax is paid — to 66.7 per cent for individuals realizing more than $250,000 in capital gains annually.

The latest health and medical news emailed to you every Sunday.

People realizing up to $250,000 in capital gains will continue to pay tax on 50 per cent of their capital gains. For corporations and trusts, however, there is no threshold. The inclusion rate for them will increase to two-thirds for all realized capital gains.

The CMA says most community-based physicians rely on their professional corporations to save for important life events, as most do not have access to employer or government benefits, sick leave or paid vacation.

The association says it is worried that the rate change will affect physicians’ ability to save for retirement, as many begin their careers in their 30s with an average of $300,000 in student debt.

The change may also cause a “significant care and infrastructure deficit,” the CMA says, because new physicians will likely feel less inclined to pay for what’s needed in a community-based medical practice.

capital gains change: cma ‘deeply concerned’ about impact on health care
1:19 ‘It’s absolutely right’: Freeland addresses capital gains tax adjustment concerns

On the physician shortage, the association adds that “creating favourable and enduring conditions to attract and retain physicians are necessary if we’re serious about expanding access to care.”

“The CMA remains convinced that an exemption for medical professional corporations … is needed to stabilize and future-proof access to community-based medical care for patients today and into the future,” the association says in its statement.

Other groups representing family doctors have also been raising concerns over the new rules.

Canadian physician Dr. David Poon, who started a Facebook group called Professional Corporation Advocates, told Global News in April that the capital gains change is “essentially a tax on our savings.”

“This is an affront to doctors. It is grossly inappropriate to lump us in with these ultra wealthy,” he said.

The Ontario Medical Association said in a statement in April that the proposed changes “will negatively impact physicians in Ontario and ultimately affect access to patient care.”

— with files from Global News’ Uday Rana

More on Canada

OTHER NEWS

3 hrs ago

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy 'getting fed up' with owner Jerry Jones: report

3 hrs ago

Who Should Steelers Hope Wins Training Camp QB Battle?

3 hrs ago

Goaltender's dad talks up the Oilers' chances of lifting the Stanley Cup

3 hrs ago

Phillies turn rare 1-3-5 triple play against Tigers, 1st since 1929

3 hrs ago

Discount Burger Check? Chiefs' Reid Shares Hilarious Commercial Story

3 hrs ago

'Devastating loss': Digital lending library, Internet Archive, removes 500,000 books after being sued by publishers

3 hrs ago

Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: WTA ‘Big 4’ state of play ahead of Wimbledon

3 hrs ago

Would a Toronto byelection loss spell doom for Trudeau?

3 hrs ago

BlackSuit ransomware gang blamed for ongoing car dealership outages

3 hrs ago

'Unreal' injury-time equaliser saves football powerhouse

3 hrs ago

Nigel Farage accused of cosying up to the Kremlin by former NATO boss

3 hrs ago

Dagestan, in southern Russia, has a history of violence. Why does it keeps happening?

3 hrs ago

Marines revive a World War II airfield on Peleliu in Pacific pivot

3 hrs ago

Fortnite Brings Tilted Towers and Other Fan Favorite Locations, But With a Twist

3 hrs ago

Shadow of the Erdtree Puts the Cherry on Top of Elden Rings Main Strength

3 hrs ago

Anger erupts as Albo's governor-general is awarded payrise

3 hrs ago

Charo Makes Rare Public Appearance at Project Angel Food Event: 'Life Is Beautiful' (Exclusive)

3 hrs ago

Boozed-up England fans sing '10 German bombers' chant in Cologne

3 hrs ago

Show Respect: ‘Boys are surprised we talk about this, it’s become normalised’

3 hrs ago

After clash with prosecutor, judge reserves ruling on restricting Trump’s rhetoric about agents’ classified documents search

3 hrs ago

Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan ‘doesn’t deliver’ any ‘energy price decrease’ until 2040

3 hrs ago

Where to watch Netherlands vs. Austria live stream, TV channel, lineups, prediction for Euro 2024 match

3 hrs ago

China lunar probe to return to Earth with samples

3 hrs ago

Report: Knicks’ OG Anunoby declines player option, enters unrestricted free agency

3 hrs ago

Saints offensive line ranked 19th in the NFL

3 hrs ago

Senators acquire goaltender Linus Ullmark from Bruins

3 hrs ago

Why Qld feels like home for the Blues

3 hrs ago

Seahawks waive 3 undrafted free agents, make UFL champ signing official

3 hrs ago

Andrew Scott Frantically Runs to Hear Taylor Swift's ‘Style' at 'Eras Tour'

3 hrs ago

England’s Test series v New Zealand: Date, kick-off time and TV channel

3 hrs ago

Bills' McDermott Says Von Miller Has ‘Something to Prove’

3 hrs ago

US prosecutors want Boeing to face criminal charges

3 hrs ago

Finance Minister Michael McGrath set to become Ireland's new EU Commissioner

3 hrs ago

Red-hot Cardinals get huge boost in return of star catcher

3 hrs ago

How police use the mail to spy on you: 60,000 cases in last decade with little pushback

3 hrs ago

These 3 Republicans are Trump’s most likely VP picks

3 hrs ago

Roy Jones Jr. announces his son, DeAndre, died by suicide

3 hrs ago

Luxury Gyms, Like Equinox and Life Time, Are Taking Over Big Retail Spaces

3 hrs ago

Automobili Pininfarina PURA Vision wins prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024

3 hrs ago

Pop legend Robbie Williams wears his AFL jersey to see if he still gets recognised in London - with some very surprising results