SOURIS, PE, July 20, 2023 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to working with provinces and territories to modernize Canada's public health care system and adapt to the changing needs of Canadians.
To strengthen Canada's universal public health care system, Budget 2023 highlighted the Government of Canada's plan to provide close to $200 billion over 10 years, which includes over $1 billion to Prince Edward Island for timely access to a family health team provider, a sustainable workforce, better access to quality mental health services, and ensuring patients have access to their own electronic health information. 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 priority where collaborative work is already underway.
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced the signature of an agreement with Prince Edward Island to continue to improve access to home and community care, as well as mental health and addiction services. Through this agreement, Prince Edward Island received over $5 million for 2022-23 from the $11 billion, 10-year investment outlined in Budget 2017.
Building on the action plan of the previous agreement, the Canada-Prince Edward Island agreement outlines the following actions:
The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with provinces and territories to support them in accessing the remaining four years of funding available for home and community care, and mental health and addictions, and to improve health care services across the country.
"Providing better health care for Canadians means supporting our health workers and ensuring patients receive timely access to the essential health services they need and deserve. This includes supporting improved home care and enhancing access to community mental health services here in Prince Edward Island and across the country. Together with provinces and territories, we will work together to achieve better health outcomes for everyone, from coast to coast to coast."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
"The pandemic presented significant challenges and highlighted significant gaps in our health care and social systems. The agreement with Prince Edward Island will help broaden the availability of mental health and addiction services for kids and teenagers and improve services by offering community-based care for people with complex mental health and addictions care needs."
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
"Improving mental health and addictions services is vitally important to the overall health and well-being of Islanders. Today's announcement is an important step forward in addressing the gaps in our system and we'll continue working together to help build a healthier future for everyone."
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
"This agreement extends a funding arrangement that has already provided $20 million for home care, community care, mental health and addiction on Prince Edward Island. With our federal partners, we will continue to use this financial support to provide care and supports for the care and health needs of our community."
The Honourable Mark McLane
Minister of Health and Wellness
SOURCE Health Canada
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