WINNIPEG, MB, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, Canada's Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Health and Ministers of Mental Health, Addictions, and Recovery met in Winnipeg to discuss key health priorities facing Canadians*.
Ministers reflected on pressures and challenges across health care systems, including the linkages between health system sustainability and economic resiliency.
The federal government reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with provinces and territories to renew Working Together bilateral agreements. These agreements are designed to provide flexibility for jurisdictions to address the unique health care needs of their communities.
Ministers reviewed the federal partnership and investments related to home and community care, and mental health and substance use, as well as the progress achieved to date within jurisdictions. They agreed to continue discussing the future of these investments and the shared health care priorities they support.
Ministers discussed the direction provided by First Ministers on July 23, 2026, to continue collaborating on the sustainability of public health care, improve the productivity of the health system, enhance workforce participation, and deliver better outcomes for Canadians. Ministers heard from a University of Toronto health economics expert on the return on health care investments and the broad benefits they generate for jurisdictions. Ministers will continue discussions regarding an approach for long-term federal funding sustainability, with accountability for Canadians on productivity, acknowledging provincial and territorial priorities. Ministers will meet to discuss progress on this work before the end of 2026.
Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaborative efforts to strengthen Canada's pharmaceutical system and mitigate the potential impacts of U.S. tariffs and pricing policies.
Provincial and territorial ministers welcomed confirmation from the federal minister of health regarding the ongoing funding of $500 million annually for the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases.
Ministers are united on the need to advance solutions to improve pathways for internationally educated health professionals to work in Canada, and have asked national medical certification bodies to further align their work with FPT health workforce priorities.
Ministers are committed to public health care and are committed to strengthen public services. Ministers agreed to engage on the Canada Health Act Services Policy by Spring 2027.
Ministers recognize the importance of timely and effective sharing of public health information to help protect and promote the health of people across Canada. Ministers from participating jurisdictions affirmed their support for a new Canadian Public Health Information Sharing Agreement and look forward to signing it soon. The agreement, once finalized, will enable participating FPT governments to securely share public health information, giving each a more complete picture of health risks and trends across the country to support faster, better-informed decisions and coordinated action on public health threats.
Ministers welcomed Parliamentary Secretary Ginette Lavack from Indigenous Services Canada for a discussion on issues impacting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples and communities. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Indigenous health equity through partnership and collaboration.
Ministers considered broader public health priorities, including confronting ongoing pressures on immunization programs and strengthening Canada's HIV response through prevention, equity and coordinated FPT action. Recognizing that vaccines save lives, improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs, Ministers received information on jurisdictional strategies to strengthen vaccine uptake, improve access and build trust through community engagement.
Ministers received a presentation and discussed the ongoing challenges in accessing health care services, in rural, remote and northern communities. They received information on the role of virtual care in expanding access to services, supporting continuity of care, and complementing broader efforts to strengthen the health workforce. Ministers recognized the importance of accessing these services in the North.
Mental Health and Substance Use
Ministers remain deeply concerned about the ongoing illegal and toxic drug crisis that is impacting individuals, families, and communities across Canada as well as the broader mental health, substance use, and addictions challenges affecting Canadians.
Ministers, including those responsible for Mental Health, Addictions, and Recovery, exchanged views on key priorities and examined innovative integrated care models for individuals with complex needs. They reaffirmed the importance of improving access to mental health, substance use, addictions, and recovery services and providing patient-centred care across the continuum of services and supports.
Conclusion
Canadians expect timely access to high-quality health care, and governments share a responsibility to ensure health systems continue to meet those expectations. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together, respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction to strengthen publicly funded health care, improve health outcomes, and ensure Canadians can access the care they need, when and where they need it.
*British Columbia and Quebec are in caretaker period due to elections in their provinces and therefore are not parties to this communiqué.
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
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