The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) is the National Voice for radiologists in Canada. One of our main priorities is to advocate for the advancement of radiology in Canada.
For the last several years the CAR has submitted briefs to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as part of its pre-budget consultation process. The reports are intended to inform and influence the federal government as it prepares its budget and considers its spending priorities.
The Pre-Budget Submission is an example of the advocacy and government relations work that the CAR is conducting on behalf of its members.
2024 Pre-Budget Submission
The CAR, in consultation with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) and Sonography Canada, are putting forward the following recommendations to help increase capacity within medical imaging, thus enabling our healthcare system to better care for patients. The Federal Government needs to:
People
1. Invest in the hiring and retention of MRTs and sonographers as part of a health human resource strategy to reduce backlogs and improve health services. Canada needs an additional 2,000 MRTs and sonographers in the next three years.
Technology
2. Take a leadership role in the implementation of Clinical Decision Support systems, to help streamline the imaging referral process and ensure patients receive the right test at the right time.
3. Demonstrate leadership in AI through the incorporation of the CAR’s Radiology Artificial Intelligence Validation Network’s (RAIVN) framework to improve the evaluation and regulation of AI in Canada as part of Health Canada’s Medical Devices Directorate regulatory process.
Equipment
4. Guide an investment of $2 billion over three years for radiology equipment.