July 12, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada                                                                                                                

Canadians deserve better access to health care services and affordable medicines, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay.

Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations, toured TAIBU Community Health Centre in Scarborough, and highlighted the recent actions taken by the government to strengthen the public health care system in Canada.

TAIBU, meaning be in Good Health” in Kiswahili, has served the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for over fifteen years by helping black-identifying people in the GTA access health care. Whether it’s primary care, illness prevention, cancer screenings, TAIBU has been directly engaged with the GTA and ensuring top tier care.

At the federal level, the government is ensuring healthcare is a top priority. We have invested close to $200 billion over 10 years to improve health care services for Canadians. Within this funding, $25 billion is allocated through tailored bilateral agreements that address the unique health system needs of each province and territory in four areas of shared priority, including improving access to family health services and to mental health and substance use services, building our health workforce, and modernizing our health system through digital tools.

The Government of Canada, along with the provinces and territories, also recently committed to take concrete actions to address health workforce challenges. In March 2024, the Government of Canada released the Nursing Retention Toolkit to help improve the working lives of nurses. On July 11 2024, the Government of Canada announced $47 million in federal funding for innovative projects to help support Canada’s health workforce.

Additionally, dental care is an integral part of one’s health and well-being. The Government of Canada launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) that will provide oral health care for up to nine million uninsured Canadian residents with an annual family income of less than $90,000. Eligible seniors, adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, parents and guardians of children under 18 can now apply. All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 will be able to apply online in 2025.To date, more than 250,000 Canadians have received care under the CDCP for services like cleaning, fillings, dentures from over 12,000 providers.

In February 2024, the Government of Canada introduced the Pharmacare Act. Drug coverage for contraceptives will mean that nine million Canadians of reproductive age will have better access to contraception and reproductive autonomy. The Act also improves access to diabetes medications, and will help improve the health of 3.6 million Canadians living with diabetes, and reduce the risk of serious life-changing health complications, such as blindness or amputations.

Everyone in Canada deserves to get the health care they need when they need it. The Government of Canada understands that people are relying on all levels of government to come together to address the current challenges. The Government of Canada remains committed to working with provinces and territories to make health care more affordable and more accessible, and to achieve better health outcomes for everyone.