Canada’s universal, publicly funded health system is a source of pride for Canadians. The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to strengthen health care and adapt the system to the changing needs of Canadians.

“We inherited a health-care system marked by long wait times that experts said was overly complex,” said the Honourable Cameron Friesen, Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living. “We are changing and improving that system. This agreement will help us build on initiatives we’ve already undertaken to strengthen mental health and addictions services while improving home care services that Manitobans, particularly seniors and older adults, will increasingly need as our population ages in the years to come.”

The governments of Canada and Manitoba announced details of a bilateral agreement on home and community care, and mental health and addiction services. The agreement outlines how the province plans to invest its share of the $11 billion over 10 years announced by the federal government in Budget 2017.

With support from the Government of Canada, the government of Manitoba will invest in a range of initiatives. These include:

  • expanding Manitoba’s proven model of home care;
  • developing intensive, community-based home care and supports to help avoid hospitalizations and long-term care admissions;
  • enhancing supports for rural palliative care;
  • increasing access to co-ordinated care for mental health and addiction services;
  • implementing peer support in formal health-care settings for patients with mental health and addiction issues; and
  • implementing a pregnancy and infant-loss program.

These initiatives are fully aligned 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.

Manitoba will invest federal funding of approximately $182 million over five years to specific activities within these initiatives. This federal funding is part of a 10-year federal financial commitment of approximately $400 million for Manitoba.

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