Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Sign Agreement to Improve Health Care Services

Released on May 14, 2018

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 to adapt the system to the changing needs of Canadians.

Today, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan signed a bilateral agreement (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/transparency/health-agreements/shared-health-priorities/saskatchewan.html) outlining how the province plans to invest its share of targeted federal health care funding. 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 Saskatchewan will invest in a range of initiatives to expand home and community care as well as mental health and addiction services.

“I am pleased that the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have finalized a bilateral agreement for home and community care, and mental health and addiction services, said Ginette Petitpas Taylor Minister of Health. “The federal government is committed to working with the provinces and territories so that Canadians have access to the health services they need.”

“Saskatchewan is committed to improving access to health services for residents throughout our province,” Saskatchewan Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “This funding will help us address the need for better access to mental health and addictions services, and support our population in receiving health services in the most appropriate settings.”

These include:

establishing Community Health Centres and teams to shift the delivery of care from hospitals into community settings;
improved access to palliative and end-of-life care to provide care at the right place, by the right providers, at the right time;
improving mental health services for youth through targeted training programs;
expanding internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy services; and
improving mental health services and supports for children, youth and families, through increased capacity for diagnosis and treatment.

Saskatchewan will invest approximately $158 million in targeted funding over five years as part of a ten-year federal financial commitment of close to $350 million. 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 (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/transparency/health-agreements/principles-shared-health-priorities.html) endorsed by the federal government, provinces* and territories in August 2017 (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2017/08/federal_provincialandterritorialhealthministersagreeoncollaborat.html).

Quick Facts:

In Budget 2017, the Government of Canada committed $11 billion over 10 years in new funding for provinces and territories to improve access to home care and mental health services for Canadians.
Canadians will see how targeted federal funding for home care and mental health will be invested in each province and territory, and will be able to track progress based on a focused set of common indicators currently being developed.
In 2021-22, bilateral agreements with the provinces and territories will be renewed for the remaining five years of the 10-year commitment.

* The federal government has agreed to an asymmetrical arrangement with Quebec, distinct from the Common Statement of Principles.

Associated Links:

Common Statement of Principles News Release (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2017/08/federal_provincialandterritorialhealthministersagreeoncollaborat.html)
Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/transparency/health-agreements/principles-shared-health-priorities.html)

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For more information, contact:

Thierry Bélair
Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Ottawa
Phone: 613-957-0200

Health Canada
Phone: 613-957-2983
Email: hc.media.sc@canada.ca

Shirley Xie
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: shirley.xie@health.gov.sk.ca

Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Sign Agreement to Improve Health Care Services

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