Close X
Monday, September 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. first province to sign individual health deal with feds, worth $1.2 billion

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Oct, 2023 10:37 AM
  • B.C. first province to sign individual health deal with feds, worth $1.2 billion

British Columbia is the first province to sign a tailored funding agreement with the federal government as part of the $196-billion health accord the prime minister offered provinces earlier this year.

The deal will see Ottawa shift $1.2 billion to B.C. over three years.

Health Minister Mark Holland told a news conference at Vancouver General Hospital on Tuesday that the funding also comes with a commitment for federal support for B.C.’s health-care system for the next 10 years.

Holland said the support aims to take the Canadian health-care system "from one of the best" in the world to "the best."

In exchange, the province has developed a plan to increase patient access to team-based family health care and mental health and addictions services.

The B.C. government has also agreed to work with the First Nations Health Authority to improve access to culturally appropriate and trauma-informed treatment and care. 

The province will increase access to mental health and addictions services as the overdose crisis continues at a relentless pace, despite the declaration of a public health emergency in April 2016. 

B.C. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said the agreement supports their plans to help youth in treatment and recovery services, "so more young people can get the free, confidential and timely care they need, right in their own communities."

Adrian Dix, B.C.'s minister of health, said the agreement will allow the government to support its health care workers across the province. 

"This bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada will help us in delivering the health services and access that people need, are counting on, and that we're strengthening," Dix said in a statement. 

The one-on-one deal is part of a national health accord that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered provinces in February in response to the ongoing health-care crisis.

So far, all provinces and territories have agreed to the deal in principle, except Quebec. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.
A statement from the Ministry of Health says Dr. Andrew Larder, who previously served as a medical health officer at both Fraser and Interior Health, joins Hinshaw, and will also be on temporary assignment over the next several months.

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.
The meeting at the office of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) on the first day of the new policy began with a man handing out "know your rights" cards. They say people aged 18 and over carrying up to 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, or ecstasy, for their own use will not have those drugs confiscated.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says
While the current downturn has resulted in a price decline of about 10 per cent, the forecast says steady population growth in Metro Vancouver will underpin prices and maintain or even increase values. It says the average home price this year for apartments, attached and detached homes is expected to climb slightly to $1.2 million, a 1.4 per cent increase.    

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada
U.S. trade officials and dairy industry advocates say a large share of those quotas were being allocated to processors rather than producers. The U.S. says the federal government amended its policies, but that the new procedures remain "inconsistent" with the terms of the agreement, known as USMCA in the U.S. and CUSMA in Canada.

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning
Snow created slick conditions on the roads and caused delays for commuters in traffic. There were also crashes on many routes of Vancouver and South of the Fraser. Cars got stuck up the hill and there were major delays in transit throughout the day.

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards
The Health Standards Organization released updated standards Tuesday that say residents should get at least four hours of direct care every day. The standards from the panel of experts at the non-profit standards organization also say those who work in those residences must be paid more.

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards