Governments of Canada and New Brunswick Finalize Agreement to Improve Health Care Services

New Brunswick is the first province to sign a bilateral agreement on funding and reporting in the areas of home and community care, mental health and addiction services.

FREDERICTON, Dec. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's public health care system is a source of pride for Canadians. The Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to strengthen the health care system and adapt to the changing needs of Canadians.

Today, the governments of Canada and New Brunswick signed a bilateral agreement outlining how New Brunswick plans to invest close to $104 million in targeted federal funding to improve access to home and community care and mental health and addiction services. The agreement covers the first five years of the ten-year federal health funding commitment, which totals approximately $230 million. This historic agreement, based on shared health priorities, represents a shift in how the federal and provincial governments work together to advance targeted priorities, with indicators and reporting mechanisms in health care.  

Budget 2017 committed $11 billion over 10 years in federal funding to provinces and territories to improve access to home and community care, mental health and addiction services for Canadians. New Brunswick is the first province to sign an agreement with the federal government laying out the terms and conditions for investing in these areas.

This will support the province's priorities as set out in the New Brunswick Family Plan‎ that aims to help New Brunswickers to lead independent, healthy and productive lives. It also aligns 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.

The Common Statement of Principles focuses on improving Canadians' access to home and community care, mental health and addiction services. It outlines a set of collective priorities for action based on a commitment to collaboration, innovation and accountability to Canadians.

The federal government will conclude ‎bilateral agreements with provinces and territories over the coming months. These agreements demonstrate the governments' commitments to open, transparent and accountable processes. Canadians will see how federal funds for mental health and addiction services, as well as home and community care, will be invested in each province and territory. In 2021-22, this agreement will be renewed for the remaining 5 years of the 10-year commitment.

Quotes

"As a New Brunswicker, I am very pleased to have reached this first agreement in my home province. It will describe how targeted funds for mental health and addiction services and home and community care will be invested and reported on for the coming years. This will make a real difference for the health and well-being of New Brunswickers and their families."

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"The signing of this bilateral agreement means we can further improve the quality of life for New Brunswickers through increased access to home and community care and mental-health and addictions services in our province."

Benoît Bourque 
Minister of Health for New Brunswick

Related Products
Backgrounder
Agreement with New Brunswick

Associated Links
Common Statement of Principles News Release
Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities
News Release: New Brunswick Accepts Federal Funding Offer

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

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Thierry Bélair, Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983; Bruce Macfarlane, Communications, Government of New Brunswick - Department of Health, 506-444-4583