Minister Fortier and Minister Hajdu meet with health care workers to launch Budget 2021 consultations

News release

January 26, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

Protecting the health and safety of Canadians is the government's top priority as it continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Crucial to this work is the heroic dedication of Canada’s health care professionals, who are working on the frontlines of this crisis.

Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, met virtually with health care organizations and associations from across Canada to hear their ideas about how Budget 2021 can continue to support the health and safety of Canadians through the pandemic. The discussion and ideas shared with Minister Fortier and Minister Hajdu during the round table will also help the government ensure an inclusive, equitable and resilient recovery that leaves no one behind.

The Government of Canada has been by the sides of frontline workers from the very start of the crisis. It has invested in the procuring of personal protective equipment, testing and tracing capacity, mental health supports, paid sick days, and is coordinating a vaccine rollout strategy together with the provinces and territories. As the Prime Minister Trudeau has said, everyone in Canada for whom vaccines are approved and recommended, and who want one, will have received a vaccine by the end of September.

All Canadians are invited to share their ideas through an online questionnaire at LetsTalkBudget2021.ca, which will be available until February 19, 2021.

Quotes

“Today was an opportunity to thank our heroic health care community for their dedication to Canadians since the very start of this pandemic. It was also a chance to listen to their priorities and ideas for how we can improve quality and access to health care across our country through Budget 2021. Rest assured that our government will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure they have the support they need to keep Canadians healthy and safe – including access to PPE, mental health supports and a safe and effective vaccine as is rolled out.”

- The Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance

"Our healthcare workers have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep Canadians safe. Today, we met with these healthcare heroes to hear how we can keep working together so that Canadians are healthy and safe through this second wave and beyond. In Budget 2021, we plan to build on our partnership with experts and public health professionals, ensuring that you, your family, and your community are safe.”

- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health

Quick facts

  • More than eight of every 10 dollars spent in Canada to fight COVID-19 and support Canadians has been spent by the federal government and this unprecedented support has prevented economic scarring and stabilized the economy.

  • The Government of Canada has committed over $7.6 billion to rapidly procure more than two billion pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE). This funding is in addition to the $3 billion for PPE procurement provided directly to provinces and territories through the Safe Restart Agreement.

  • Canada continues to aggressively procure vital supplies to keep our nurses, our doctors and frontline health care workers well-equipped and to keep all Canadians safe in the months and years ahead.

  • The Fall Economic Statement proposed $1.5 billion to continue to procure PPE and provide warehousing and logistics support to rapidly deliver critical PPE and medical supplies to provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities, as well as to maintain the readiness of the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile.

  • Once the virus is under control, the Government of Canada will invest in a growth plan of roughly three to four per cent of GDP, up to $100 billion, over three years, to jumpstart our recovery.

  • Key to this stimulus plan will be smart, time-limited investments that can act fast and make a long-run contribution to Canada’s future shared prosperity, quality of life, competitiveness, and green transformation.

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Contacts

Media may contact:

Isabella Brisson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
isabella.brisson@canada.ca

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail:
fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca
For pre-budget consultations: Budget2021@canada.ca

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