The Government of Canada and Prince Edward Island Reach Agreement in Principle to Improve Health Services for Canadians

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - 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 Prince Edward Island (PEI) are taking the next step by announcing an agreement in principle for a shared plan that will invest $996 million in federal funding over 10 years in PEI, including $288 million for a new bilateral agreement focusing on the shared health care priorities and $9 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 PEI residents 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 PEI 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 three-year action plan that will detail targets, timelines and additional common indicators related shared health priorities in each jurisdiction.

As part of this collaborative health plan, Canada will work with PEI to streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals and advance labour mobility for key health professionals. Furthermore, PEI 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.

"Today's agreement in principle with PEI 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 Canadians live longer, healthier lives."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos 
Minister of Health

"Today's agreement in principle with PEI 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 PEI 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

"Our health system is built on compassion, collaboration and a commitment to equitable access to health services. I look forward to a partnership that will help Prince Edward Island make needed investments in our health workforce, our health and mental health care systems and in the technology that allows us to deliver efficient, effective care." 

The Honourable Dennis King 
Premier of Prince Edward Island

"Access to health care is critical no matter where in PEI you live, and a strong, committed health workforce is the foundation of delivering health care for Islanders. These funding agreements will help us recruit and retain health professionals, invest in our province-wide network of health services and support our health workers as they deliver care for Islanders."

The Honourable Ernie Hudson 
Prince Edward Island Minister of Health and Wellness

• Canada.ca/HealthPriorities
• News release: Working together to improve health services for Canadians
• Backgrounder: Working together to improve health care for Canadians

SOURCE Health Canada