Strategic environmental and economic assessment: Diabetes Devices and Supplies Fund

Program background

On February 29, 2024, the government announced the establishment of a one-time Diabetes Devices and Supplies Fund ("fund") to enable provinces and territories to support access to diabetes devices and supplies, such as:

• insulin pumps
• glucose monitors
• syringes
• glucose test strips

It complements investments made further to the Pharmacare Act, which received Royal Assent on October 10, 2024, to provide universal, single-payer, first-dollar access to a range of diabetes medications. Funding is provided to provinces and territories through national pharmacare bilateral agreements.

Key findings

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA) a Climate, Nature and Economy Lens (CNEL) environmental and economic assessment was completed for the fund.

Environmental analysis

The environmental analysis did not result in findings of any significant environmental effects. As such, no strategic environmental analysis was undertaken.

Strategic economic analysis

The strategic economic analysis undertaken determined that the proposal would have low short term local economic impacts given the time limited nature of the fund and bilateral approach to agreements (e.g., no national or sectoral impacts). No local long-term impacts were identified.

Cross cutting considerations

Indigenous Services Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program provides coverage of a wide range of diabetes devices and supplies for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit. As a result, no changes were proposed for the NIHB program.

The fund is not expected to contribute, positively or negatively, to the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.