Elected or appointed? The case for healthcare trustees

Although most trustees in Canada are appointed, there is a growing trend to publicly elect them instead. Though motivated by a desire to make healthcare boards more accountable to the public, there is no evidence that public elections will accomplish this. There are a number of mechanisms already in place to ensure accountability, and appointing trustees makes it more likely that only properly qualified trustees will hold board positions. That control is vital to ensure that trustees have the strategic business thinking necessary to ensure the future of hospital corporations.