Yasir Naqvi has released a plan for supporting public healthcare in Ottawa and beyond as he seeks re-election as MP for Ottawa Centre.
Naqvi has represented the area since 2021, and as his constituents prepare to head to the polls on April 28, he is releasing platforms for his campaign, including one to address healthcare.
In an interview with Ottawa Compass, Naqvi said when he speaks to constituents, he hears that “they do not want their health care to be privatized, and they’re concerned that that’s exactly what Pierre Poilievre is going to do.”
“How do we make sure that we have a publicly funded health care system available?” he continued. “That’s what I’m committed to, and what the Liberal Party is committed to.”
The platform references federal healthcare campaigns but also prioritizes the National Capital Region.
Naqvi’s plan includes developing a seniors’ health and housing hub at Confederation Heights, an area in south Ottawa. The hub would include “comprehensive” care in a mixed-use community that Naqvi said will be created “over the next few years.”
Currently, the area is part of a joint project of Canada Lands Company, a crown corporation, and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) that launched in 2021. The Master Plan is expected in 2025 or 2026 and will establish a vision for the site, which, according to the project website, is expected to transition over the next 25 years into a mixed-use, sustainable community, though it does not specify whether the community is meant for seniors.
Additionally, Naqvi’s healthcare platform echoes federal campaigns, promising to expand dental care coverage for families earning less than $90,000. This is something the federal government has already promised to fulfill; the current Canadian Dental Care Plan is currently available to seniors aged 65 and over. children under the age of 18 and adults with a valid federal Disability Tax Credit certificate and is scheduled to expand to include Canadians of all ages with a household income of less than $90,000 in May 2025.
Naqvi also said he will remove barriers that prevent internationally educated health professionals from practicing in Canada.
“We need to ensure that qualified doctors, nurses, and health professionals who were trained abroad can contribute their skills in the communities they call home,” said Naqvi. “I will continue to fight for initiatives that break down barriers and support these professionals in getting the experience and recognition they need to work in Canada.
“Life is already too expensive — and no one should have to worry about how they will afford healthcare,” Naqvi said. “While Pierre Poilievre pushes to privatize healthcare and put profits before people, I am standing up for families and protecting public healthcare. I am focused on delivering real, practical results that make life better and more affordable.”
