The Government of Canada and British Columbia Reach Agreement in Principle to Improve Health Services for Canadians

March 1, 2023 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada

Canada's universal, accessible and publicly funded healthcare is a point of pride for Canadians.

However, health workers across Canada are under enormous strain to deliver the care that Canadian patients deserve. Immediate, collaborative, action is needed to deliver better health care for Canadians.

On February 7, 2023, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $198.6 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories to improve health care services for Canadians. This funding includes an immediate, unconditional $2 billion Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up to address immediate pressures on the health care system.

Today, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia are taking the next step by announcing an agreement in principle for a shared plan that will invest $27.47 billion in federal funding over 10 years in British Columbia including $3.32 billion for a new bilateral agreement focusing on the shared health care priorities and $273 million through the immediate, one-time CHT top-up to address urgent needs, especially in pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms, and long wait times for surgeries. This will further help provide British Columbians with improvements in health care that includes:

• access to high-quality family health services when they need them, including in rural and remote areas, and for underserved communities;
• a resilient and supported health workforce that provides them high-quality, effective, and safe health care services;
• access to timely, equitable, and quality mental health, substance use and addictions services; and
• access to their own electronic health information that is shared between the health professionals they consult.

Helping Canadians age with dignity, closer to home, with access to home care or care in a safe long-term care facility is another shared health priority where collaborative work is already underway.

By reaching an agreement in principle, Canada and British Columbia are committing to the plan laid out on February 7, 2023, which includes shared commitments to collect, use and share depersonalized health information and to inform Canadians of their progress with key common headline indicators. Work will now begin on a bilateral agreement based on an initial 3-year action plan that will detail targets, timelines and additional common indicators related to the shared health priorities in each jurisdiction.

As part of this collaborative health plan, Canada will work with British Columbia to streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals and advance labour mobility for key health professionals. Furthermore, British Columbia commits to an integrated, inclusive approach to investments in health service teams, the health workforce, and data and digital tools that will help to meet the health and mental health needs of Canadians.

We will fulfill our shared responsibility to uphold the Canada Health Act that protects Canadians' access to health care that is based on need and not ability to pay. We recognize the right of Indigenous Peoples to fair and equal access to quality and culturally safe health services free from racism and discrimination anywhere in Canada.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we showed that we can work together to tackle big challenges. We will work to deliver outcomes for Canadians and improve the health care system that Canadians value and depend on.

Quotes

"Today's agreement in principle with British Columbia is an opportunity to continue our collaboration and improve the experience of health workers and those they care for. It will modernize our health care system, improve access to family health services and mental health services, reduce surgical backlogs and support health workers. Better quality of care means helping British Columbia and Canadians live longer, healthier lives."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health

"Today's agreement in principle with British Columbia builds on our shared objective of ensuring all Canadians, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay, can access the care they need, when they need it. Our government will continue to work with our partners across the country to build a better health care system."

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

"Mental health is health, and through this agreement in principle, we will be working with British Columbia to integrate mental health and substance use care as a full and equal part of our universal health care system. This agreement will help to provide greater access to mental health services, reduce substance use harms, and lower stigma. Together, we must ensure that all Canadians have access to supports and services for their mental health and well-being – when they need them, wherever they need them."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health

"These agreements in principle will assist B.C. with the significant actions already underway to improve primary care, seniors care, acute care, cancer care and mental health and addictions care for people throughout the province. We will continue strengthening the publicly funded health care system in B.C. to ensure people have access to the programs and services they need, when they need them."

The Honourable Adrian Dix
British Columbia Minister of Health

"When people make the important decision to reach out for help, it's vital that services are available to meet them every step of their journey. That's why our government is continuing to make historic investments and add new supports to our mental health and substance use system of care. This agreement means British Columbians will have access to even more life-saving services, closer to home and available when and where they are needed."

The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside
British Columbia Minister of Mental Health and Addictions