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By Chris Brown

Alberta, Ottawa sign $24B health funding deal

Feb 27, 2023 | 8:59 AM

Alberta is the latest province to sign an agreement in principle on health-care funding with Ottawa.

The federal government says in a news release a deal has been reached with the province to invest more than $24 billion over 10 years in Alberta’s health-care system.

According to the release, the deal includes $2.92 billion for a new bilateral agreement focusing on the shared health care priorities and $233 million through the immediate, one-time CHT top-up to address urgent needs, especially in pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms, and long wait times for surgeries.

The release says the agreement will improve access to health care in rural, remote and underserved communities and timely, equitable and quality mental health, substance use and addictions services. Albertans will also get access to their own electronic health information to share with professionals and a resilient and supported health workforce.

“Today’s agreement in principle with Alberta is an opportunity to continue our collaboration and improve the experience of health workers and those they care for,” says federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. “It will modernize our health-care system, improve access to family health services and mental health services, reduce surgical backlogs and support health workers. Better quality of care means helping Albertans and Canadians live longer, healthier lives.”

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Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta is leading the country in health-care reform and are focused on ensuring Albertans can access world-class care when and where they need it.

“This is a productive first step and I look forward to continued discussions with the Government of Canada on how we can achieve longer-term sustainable funding.”

This deal in principle commits the province to a plan laid out by the federal government earlier in February. Work will now begin on a bilateral agreement based on an initial three-year action plan that for targets and timelines.

The federal and provincial governments will Canada will work with Alberta to streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals and advance labour mobility for key health professionals.

Alberta has also committed to an integrated, inclusive approach to investments in health service teams, the health workforce, and data and digital tools that will help to meet the health and mental health needs of Canadians.

Alberta is the seventh province to sign on, following Manitoba, Ontario and the four Atlantic provinces.