This investment will increase access to a primary health provider, reduce backlogs and wait times, further support mental health services, and provide greater access to health data.
Canadians want and deserve a health care system that provides timely access to health services whenever and wherever they are needed. That is why the Government of Canada is investing over $200 billion over 10 years, which includes $25 billion for tailored bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, to support the Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan.
Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada's Minister of Health, Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Canada's Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, the Honourable Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia's Minister of Health and Wellness and the Honourable Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, announced a bilateral agreement of more than $355 million over the next three years, marking a crucial step in a 10-year plan for collaboration. This new funding by the Government of Canada will help accelerate efforts already underway in Nova Scotia to improve health care access and services.
Through this federal funding, Nova Scotia has a 3-year action plan to deliver improvements to its health care system by 2026, including:
- Increasing the percentage of people in the province who have regular access to a health care provider to 88%. This will be done by improving access to care in rural and remote communities through expanded clinic hours, Community Health Centres, the introduction of mobile health services, and virtual urgent care so patients without family doctors can receive the care they need;
- Increasing the number of family physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses across the province, as well as recruiting priority professions and specialized teams to address upcoming health workforce needs, in addition to improving work environments for current health workers;
- Developing digital tools to make it easier for people in the province to access their health information, book appointments, and access virtual health services, simplifying the way they receive care. This includes creating a single system for patient records and treatments, and improving communication between patients and doctors;
- Increasing the number of graduates with specialized training in mental health and addictions services, through the development of an Advanced Practice in Mental Health & Addiction stream within the Master of Nursing program at the Dalhousie School of Nursing;
- Enhancing access to youth mental health and substance use services by adding three active Integrated Youth Services sites by 2025-26, with an additional five under development; and
- Advancing underserved, underrepresented, and Indigenous health priorities across the province, including an Indigenous patient navigation program and improving the availability of Indigenous language interpretation and translation services, as well as a diverse health workforce and increased access to culturally-appropriate mental health and addictions services for both Indigenous and African-Nova Scotians.
Progress on these initiatives and broader commitments will be measured against targets which Nova Scotia will publicly report on annually.
Through this new agreement, Nova Scotia will improve how health information is collected, shared, used and reported to Canadians; streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals; and facilitate the mobility of key health professionals within Canada. and fulfill shared responsibilities to uphold the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians' access to health care that is based on need, not the ability to pay.
Recognizing the significant disparities in Indigenous health outcomes, the Government of Canada and of Nova Scotia also commit to meaningfully engage and work together with Indigenous partners to support improved access to quality and culturally appropriate health care services. Nova Scotia's action plan is informed by continued engagement with its Indigenous partners and recent trilateral discussions involving the federal government. All levels of government will approach health decisions in their respective jurisdictions through a lens that promotes respect and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Nova Scotia and the federal government will continue working together to improve access to health services and deliver tangible results to all patients across the province, including responding to the needs of Indigenous and other underserved and disadvantaged populations.
