Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister on helping provinces and territories deliver better universal public health care

Ottawa, Ontario - May 1st, 2024

Good afternoon.

Yesterday, I tabled the Notice of Ways and Means Motion for the Budget Implementation Act. This would put into effect many key measures from this year’s budget, which is about ensuring fairness for every generation.

Our budget is a plan to build more affordable homes; grow our economy in a way that will create good-paying jobs for Canadians and keep Canada at the economic forefront; and strengthen Canada’s social safety net to help make life cost less.

A central pillar of Canada’s social safety net is our universal public health care system. And a strong health care system is essential to ensuring fairness for every generation—because no matter your age, your income, or your circumstances, every Canadian deserves to feel secure in the knowledge that they will get the care and support they need.

That’s why, last year, we announced a historic $200 billion, 10-year health care plan to reduce backlogs, improve primary care, cut wait times, and deliver the health care that Canadians need and deserve.

As part of this plan, a key measure of the Budget Implementation Act is a guarantee that the Canada Health Transfer will increase by at least five per cent per year until 2027-28. 

This will be done through annual top-up payments for provinces and territories that are taking steps to improve the collection and management of health data.

This year alone, provinces and territories are receiving $52.1 billion from the federal government through the Canada Health Transfer. It’s the largest amount ever.

That’s the equivalent of $1 billion a week, every week, going to provincial and territorial governments to help fund health care for Canadians, regardless of where they live.

And next year, the federal government will transfer close to $55 billion, and the year after that $57.5 billion.

This is going to make a real difference in the life of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This is going to mean shorter wait times for surgeries and in the emergency room. It’s going to make it easier to see a doctor or a nurse practitioner so Canadians can get the care they need, when and where they need it.

We’re acting now because the cost of inaction today would be borne chiefly by younger Canadians. And we won’t leave them behind. That is why I am urging my fellow Parliamentarians to pass the Budget Implementation Act as swiftly as possible.

Together, we will unlock the door to the middle class for more Canadians—and renew the promise of our great country.