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Public--private partnerships (P3s) with the for-profit private sector are increasingly used in Canada to deliver public infrastructure and support services within the health care sector (e.g., hospitals, clinics, community health centres). This paper examines the emergence and legacy of P3s in the Canadian health care sector, classifying them as a form of neoliberal accumulation by dispossession and discussing their inability to live up to proponents' promises. Economic and social costs are examined, and examples are drawn from operational P3 hospitals in Canada. The article also briefly examines how P3s have been affected by the recent global financial crisis, arguing that despite serious problems with the private finance component of these projects, ultimately the policy is poised to weather the storm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Provincial drug-program policies for the reimbursement of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) vary across Canada, which may result in marked regional variability in use.Methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional analysis of provincially funded TRT spending and utilization in eight provinces across Canada in 2012. We reported the annual cost per user, total cost, and rate of use of TRT overall and by formulation.Results: We identified 23,544 provincially-funded recipients of TRT in 2012 in the eight provinces studied. Average annual cost per person varied by 3-fold, ranging from $173 (Prince Edward Island) to $485 (Ontario). Ontario also had the highest rate of use (1,105 users per 100,000 eligible) and the most liberal listing. Provinces with more restricted access (Alberta, British Columbia, and PEI) had lower annual costs per user ($293, $206, $173, respectively).Conclusions: Differing reimbursement policies for TRT products across Canada are likely contributing to variation in the rate of use and cost per recipient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to understand the volunteer legacy of a major sport event and identify aspects of the event that shaped future voluntary action in the host community. Social exchange theory framed the examination of volunteers' positive and negative experiences with the event as a predictor of future behavioral intentions. A total of 1098 volunteers involved with the 2001 Canada Summer Games completed a post-event survey. In general, planning volunteers' future volunteering was particularly influenced by experienced costs of the event (task overload, personal inconvenience), although contributing to the community and a positive life experience were also predictive of their future involvement. In contrast, on-site volunteers' future volunteering was more influenced by experienced benefits of the event, including social enrichment, community contribution, and a positive life experience. However, personal inconvenience and task underload were also predictive of their future involvement. The findings have implications for event policy and management that should acknowledge the potential for major sport events to engender a legacy of volunteering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]