Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - HSCI 305 OL01

The Canadian Health System (3)

Class Number: 2088

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units, including nine HSCI units with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A comparative analysis of the Canadian health care financing and delivery systems and policies. History, organizational principles, health care resources, costs, access to care, quality, and equity. Societal and political issues, threats and values that affect Canada's health care system and others around the world.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a comparative analysis of the Canadian health care financing and delivery system and policies. It includes history, organizational principles, health care resources, costs, access to care, quality, and equity. It also explores societal and political issues, threats, and values that affect Canada’s health care system.

We will examine events that have shaped the development of health care systems in Canada. We will discuss arrangements for financing and delivery of health care and management of the health workforce. Throughout the course, we will explore current policy debates, including coverage for pharmaceuticals, primary care reform, privatization, and management of wait lists. Given that health services research and government policies are constantly changing, I may add other topics to reflect recent developments.

A note about sensitive material: This course deals with the history, structure, strengths and limitations of Canada’s health system. It includes discussions of racism, colonization, and abuse, particularly towards Indigenous peoples. I will do my best to provide warnings before lectures that contain content that might be triggering or upsetting. Please take the time and space you need and connect with me if you have concerns.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the history, structure, financing and future directions of the Canadian healthcare system as outlined in weekly lecture materials, interviews with content experts, and accompanied readings.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current health system challenges and how these have been shaped by historical policy legacies through policy case studies.
  • Apply policy frameworks to critically evaluate healthcare policies through the development of a group policy brief on a health care challenge of choice.

The core competencies addressed in this course include

  • Health care services and health policy (primary)
  • Systems and critical thinking (primary)
  • Core concepts in population health (reinforcing)

This is not a formal writing course, but written communication will be emphasized in assignments.

Grading

  • Assignment 1: Background & Analysis 10%
  • Assignment 2: Policy options 15%
  • Assignment 3: Group policy brief 20%
  • Quizzes 20%
  • Canvas Discussion 5%
  • Final Exam (in person) 30%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

  1. Deber, R. Treating Health Care: How the Canadian System Works and How It Could Work Better. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2017. There are several ways to access this textbook:

    a) Simon Fraser University: Free access to online copies (note, there may be limits on how many people can use these at a time) via https://sfu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/usv8m3/01SFUL_ALMA51357743460003611Links to an external site.

    b) ) SFU Bookstore: Can be purchased at https://shop.sfu.ca/

    c) Amazon: Next day delivery of paper copy with Prime account

  2. Picard A. 2013. Path to Health Care Reform: Policy and Politics. Ottawa: The Conference Board of Canada, 2013. Available for free: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/reports/SIRP_Book_2012.pdfLinks to an external site.
  3. All additional readings are available through Canvas or URL links. To access for free, some readings will require you to access through the SFU library.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.