Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and BC Premier David Eby speaking with foreign-trained nursing students from KPU in Langley, BC
Langley, BC, March 1st, 2023

Every Canadian deserves to get the health care they need whenever and wherever they need it. But right now, our system is facing tremendous challenges from coast to coast to coast where millions of Canadians are left alone with long wait times, a shortage of family doctors, reduced hours at community clinics and hospitals, and a lack of mental health care.

The Federal Government is committed to tackle those issues that Canadians face every day. On February 7th, the Prime Minister announced $198,6 B in federal funding for our health care system throughout Canada for the next ten years.

Today, the Prime Minister and the Premier of British Columbia announced an agreement in principle for $27.48B in federal funding for the next ten years, to help BC’s health care system face their current challenges. This agreement in principle, will include a 5% Canada Health Transfer guarantee for the next five years providing an additional $2.44B over 10 years, $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 and $3.32B for a new tailor made agreement focusing on shared health priorities which include :

· Making sure that Canadians have access to family health services;

· Supporting the people who power our health care system and reduce backlogs;

· Helping people get good mental health care and substance use supports;

· Ensuring that your health information is available to you and your health providers – so you get the best quality care.The government will work with Indigenous partners to provide additional support for Indigenous health priorities with $2 B over 10 years to address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples face when it comes to fair and equitable access to quality and culturally safe health care services.

The government will work with Indigenous partners to prioritize investments.

For more information:

See the press release here.

See the Prime Minister news release about the federal government health care plan here.

See the backgrounder here.