Ottawa must renew mental health and home care funding, health ministers say

Health ministers from across Canada have expressed concern over the potential loss of $1.2 billion in funding for mental health, addictions, and home care programs if agreements are not renewed in the upcoming budget. In a joint statement, the ministers called on the federal government to provide certainty and commit to funding the essential care and services needed by Canadians.

Marion Cooper, president of the Canadian Mental Health Association, emphasized that dedicated funding over the past decade has created programs and services nationwide, from youth initiatives to caregiver support. She stressed that a reduction in targeted funding would be problematic, especially considering the ongoing need in communities.

The ministers warn that the end of dedicated funding agreements amounts to a "fiscal cliff" that could lead to job losses in the health sector. The $200 billion in additional health funding pledged by the federal government over 10 years in the 2023 budget, including $4.8 billion for home care improvements, was intended to expand access to primary care, reduce surgery backlogs, and enhance mental health and addiction services.

However, this funding is set to end in March 2027. Premiers have emphasized the need to maintain a five per cent growth floor in the Canada Health Transfer, a guaranteed yearly increase that will continue until 2028. Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne did not attend the recent meeting, with Michel stating that mental health is one of her top three priorities, and Champagne planning to release the Liberals' fiscal plan later in the fall.