Enter our essay contest

Sponsored by the Manning Centre for Building Democracy

2008 Topic:
The Canadian health care system:
Why is it broken, and how can it be fixed?

Since the early 1970s, the Canadian federal and all provincial governments have been committed to providing universal-access physician and hospital care to all citizens, paid for with tax dollars at no out-of-pocket-cost to the individual. While these goals may be admirable, the 21st century reality is that the system is suffering. For example: Canadians are waiting much longer than is medically acceptable for care, health care expenditures are approaching 50% of provincial budgets, and our doctor-to-patient ratio is one of the lowest in the developed world.

Is there a more effective way to provide high quality and accessible health care for Canadians?
Questions to consider:
How is the Canadian system structured?
What are the facts of the current quality of health care in Canada?
How can economic analysis explain some of the problems with the current health care system?
Are there international examples of health care systems that have similar goals, but different outcomes than Canada’s?
What characteristics should a well-functioning health care system have?

Application Rules:

1. The contest is open to Canadian and foreign students. A student is defined as someone who attended school in the 2007/2008 school year or is enrolled to attend in 2008/2009.
2. Submissions will be considered from secondary and post-secondary (undergraduate and graduate) students in all disciplines. Secondary students will be considered in a separate category, with a cash prize of $250. Outstanding high school submissions will not be excluded from winning the $500 and $1,000 post-secondary prizes.
3. Entry must include a typed essay of 1,000-1,500 words, and a cover sheet including the student’s name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, and date of birth. High school students include school and grade. Post-secondary students, include school, major, and year of graduation.
4. Entries will be accepted in English and French.
5. Entries must include references cited from academic sources. Any academically acceptable referencing style may be used.
6. Entries must be submitted online or by mail. 
7. Entries may only be submitted once. Further submissions will not be accepted.
8. Failure to follow these rules may lead to disqualification from the contest.
9. Entries will be judged on originality, expression of ideas, presentation, and understanding of competitive markets.
10. All entries become of the property of The Fraser Institute. In addition to receiving cash prizes, winners may have their essays published in Fraser Institute periodicals.
11. The deadline is 5pm (Pacific Time) on June 2nd, 2008.

Submit entries online here.

Mail entries to:
Student Programs
The Fraser Institute
1770 Burrard St., 4th Floor
Vancouver, BC V6J 3G7
Canada

For more information call: 1-800-665-3558 Ext. 595