Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia Sign Agreement to Improve Health Care Services

August 30, 2018                                  Health Canada                                    Halifax, NS                 

Canada’s universal, publicly funded health system is a source of pride for Canadians. The Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to strengthen health care and adapt the system to the changing needs of Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Randy Delorey, Nova Scotia Minister of Health and Wellness, signed a bilateral agreement outlining how the province will invest approximately $130 million in targeted federal funding over five years as part of a ten-year federal financial commitment of approximately $286 million.

The agreement represents a shift in how the federal and provincial governments work together to advance shared health priorities. With support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Nova Scotia will invest in a range of initiatives to improve home and community care as well as mental health and addiction services. These include:

• enhancing continuing care services for patients, providing them supports to remain in the community as long as possible; and supporting their caregivers;
• strengthening health partnerships, systems and processes to enable a coordinated approach to care, and to ensure health services and their performance are based on evidence and data;
• enhancing integrated mental health and addiction service delivery for children and youth through school-based programs; and,
• improving access to community-based mental health and addiction services. For example, increasing the number of mental health clinicians in the community and developing a central intake system to provide a single point of entry for mental health and addiction supports.

These activities are fully aligned with the objectives and the pan-Canadian priorities set out in the Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities endorsed by the federal government, provinces* and territories in August 2017.

Quotes

“The agreement signed today will help improve access to important health services and ultimately improve the health and well-being of Nova Scotians. I am pleased that our Government has reached an agreement with Nova Scotia on how targeted funds for home and community care as well as mental health and addiction services will be invested in the coming years.”

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor

Minister of Health

“Today’s announcement is an important step to help provide families with additional support and improve access to mental health and addictions services in Nova Scotia. Our shared federal-provincial goal is to provide Canadians with the high-quality, universal health care they need, including home care and health supports right in their communities.”

The Honourable Scott Brison

President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government 

“Mental health and addictions, and home and community based services are priority areas for us, and for the federal government. We look forward to moving ahead on some important initiatives so more Nova Scotians can access supports and services at home and in the community.”

The Honourable Randy Delorey

Minister of Health and Wellness