Strengthening the Health Care System in Canada

July 12, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

Canadians deserve better access to health care services and affordable medicines, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. However, the health system in Canada has been facing significant challenges, such as overwhelmed emergency rooms, lack of access to a family doctor, and health care workers under enormous strain. The Government of Canada knows concerted and collaborative efforts by federal, provincial, and territorial governments are needed to continue to address these challenges.

Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, highlighted recent actions taken by the government to strengthen the public health care system in Canada.

The Government of Canada has invested close to $200 billion over 10 years to improve health care services for Canadians. Within this funding, $25 billion is allocated through tailored bilateral agreements that address the unique health system needs of each province and territory in four areas of shared priority, including improving access to family health services and to mental health and substance use services, building our health workforce, and modernizing our health system through digital tools. With all provinces and territories having signed their bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada we are helping ensure Canadians get the care they need and deserve, and recognize health care workers for their essential role in keeping Canadians healthy.

Every Canadian and their health care providers should be able to access their health information securely, and digitally. In June 2024, the Government of Canada introduced the Connected Care for Canadians Act that would help health care workers make better, more informed decisions, and enable Canadians to securely access their own health data. This will empower patient's decision-making and improve the care they receive from health providers in Canada.

The Government of Canada, along with the provinces and territories, recently committed to take concrete actions to address health workforce challenges. In March 2024, the Government of Canada released the Nursing Retention Toolkit to help improve the working lives of nurses. On July 11 2024, the Government of Canada announced $47 million in federal funding for innovative projects to help support Canada's health workforce. These investments will inform retention and recruitment practices, support the mobility of physicians across Canada to help communities facing shortages, and investigate solutions to strengthen the health workforce and positively impact policy and practice. The Government of Canada is also providing student loan forgiveness of up to $60,000 for doctors and $30,000 for nurses who choose to work in rural and remote communities. Budget 2024 builds on this by expanding student loan forgiveness to more rural and remote health professionals, including dentists and dental hygienists, pharmacists, psychologists, physiotherapists, midwives, personal support workers, and social workers.

Additionally, dental care is an integral part of one's health and well-being. The Government of Canada launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) that will provide oral health care for up to nine million uninsured Canadian residents with an annual family income of less than $90,000. Eligible seniors, adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, parents and guardians of children under 18 can now apply. All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 will be able to apply online in 2025. To date, more than 250,000 Canadians have received care under the CDCP for services like cleaning, fillings, dentures from over 12,000 providers.

In February 2024, the Government of Canada introduced the Pharmacare Act. Drug coverage for contraceptives will mean that nine million Canadians of reproductive age will have better access to contraception and reproductive autonomy, reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies and improving their ability to plan for the future. Furthermore, improving access to diabetes medications will help improve the health of 3.6 million Canadians living with diabetes, and reduce the risk of serious life-changing health complications, such as blindness or amputations.

Everyone in Canada deserves to get the health care they need when they need it. The Government of Canada understands that people are relying on all levels of government to come together to address the current challenges. The Government of Canada remains committed to working with provinces and territories to make health care more affordable and more accessible, and to achieve better health outcomes for everyone.