Working together to improve health care in Canada: Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements
The Aging with Dignity agreements with provinces and territories support the shared priority of helping people in Canada age with dignity close to home, with access to home care or care in a safe long-term care facility.
The Aging with Dignity agreements are underpinned by the same key principles and commitments as the Working Together bilateral agreements.
The funding for the Aging with Dignity agreements that were finalized in 2023-24 includes:
- $2.4 billion over 4 years (2023-24 to 2026-27) to improve access to home and community care remaining from the 2017 federal budget commitment to advance the Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities
- $3 billion over 5 years (2023-24 to 2027-28) for long-term care from the 2021 federal budget to:
- apply standards of care in long-term care facilities
- help support workforce stability, including wage top-ups and improvements to workplace conditions
In 2024-25, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Northwest Territories amended their Aging with Dignity agreements to support wage increases and training over 5 years for personal support workers (PSWs) and related professions. The amendments extend these agreements to March 2029.
Budget 2025 confirmed that remaining funding for PSWs will shift to a tax credit. It also provided details concerning eligibility. The tax credit will apply to eligible PSWs in provinces and territories who do not already have a PSW amendment in place.
Aging with Dignity funding agreements and news releases
Alberta
British Columbia
- Canada-British Columbia Aging with Dignity funding agreement (2023-24 to 2028-29)
- News release: Canada signs $733 million bilateral agreement to help British Columbians age with dignity (February 12, 2024)
- News release: Government of Canada signs two bilateral agreements with British Columbia (July 23, 2024)
Manitoba
- Canada-Manitoba Aging with Dignity funding agreement (2023-24 to 2027-28)
- News release: More doctors, more nurses, shorter wait times in Manitoba (February 15, 2024)
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Aging with Dignity funding agreement (2023-24 to 2027-28)
- News release: Government of Canada signs two bilateral agreements with Newfoundland and Labrador, providing $25 million to Home Support Workers (November 15, 2024)
- News release: Canada signs $78 million bilateral agreement to help residents of Newfoundland and Labrador age with dignity (May 21, 2024)
Northwest Territories
- Canada-Northwest Territories Aging with Dignity funding agreement (2023-24 to 2027-28)
- News release: Canada signs a bilateral agreement for $5.3 million with Northwest Territories to strengthen support for personal support workers (February 4, 2025)
- News release: Government of Canada signs two bilateral agreements with the Northwest Territories to improve health care (February 13, 2024)