Atlantic Economic Council launches research series examining Atlantic Canada’s health care system 

(May 28. 2025, HALIFAX) - The Atlantic Economic Council today released its report on the Importance of Health Care for our Economy.  The release is the first in a series of reports as part of a two-year research project that will examine health care in Atlantic Canada.  

“Health care has a significant impact on the state of this region’s economy,” said David Chaundy, president and CEO of the Atlantic Economic Council. “As governments look to address the pressures and public concerns over the health care system, it must consider the interdependencies of our population’s health, the system to support it and the impacts on our economy.” 

The research series, led by the Council with support from public and private sector, will examine the health care system from an economic perspective, with eight reports over the project’s span. Topics will include performance of the current system, labour and workforce challenges, factors impacting the future of health care, best practices, potential solutions and more.  

The first report provides an introduction to the region’s current system and impact on the economy. The goal of the project is to provide insights and data that enable decision-makers to look at health care holistically, taking into account the social, demographic and economic impacts of any new policies and changes on our region over the long-term.  

“As we work with partners within the industry to gather and analyze data, we expect new ideas and fresh perspectives will emerge. Ultimately, we hope to help raise awareness and understanding about how interrelated health care and our economy are, and in turn, help to inform a sustainable future for health care in Atlantic Canada, ” said Chaundy. 

The full report is available online: The Importance of Health Care for our Economy (May 28, 2025).  The Atlantic Economic Council is the independent, non-profit economic and policy research organization for Atlantic Canada that provides insights and ideas that promote a healthy, inclusive and sustainable economy for the region. For more information, visit AtlanticEconomicCouncil.ca.

Key Facts: 

• An estimated $19 billion was forecast to be spent on health care by the four Atlantic provinces in 2024/2025, accounting for 46 per cent of total government spending. 
  
  
• Health care accounted for 17 per cent of the region’s employment in 2024. Overall wages generated by our health care industry totalled $11 billion. 
  
  
• The annual cost to care for someone 85+ in Atlantic Canada is $35,000, about 10 times the level for someone aged 20-44.  The number of people 85 and above is forecast to grow from 60,000 in 2024 to 160,000 by 2044. 
  
  
• An average of 12,000 Atlantic Canadians did not participate in the labour force for health reasons annually from 2020-2024. Mental health illnesses account for 30 per cent of disability claims in Canada and is a leading driver of people being absent from the workplace. 
  
  
• See our Health Care Sector infographic for more details.

 
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Media Contact:   

Erin Esiyok 
(902) 403-2693 
erin@atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca