March 27, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada
Quebecers deserve a health care system that provides them with timely access to health care services when and where they are needed, as well as the ability to age with dignity closer to home.
Today, the Honorable Mark Holland, Minister of Health of Canada, announced the signing of two bilateral agreements to invest more than $3.7 billion in federal funds to improve health care in Quebec. These agreements represent the first financing of the government’s commitment to invest $6.7 billion in Quebec over a ten-year period.
The Government of Canada will initially provide $2.5 billion to support the Quebec Department of Health and Social Services’ 2023-2027 strategic plan.
Quebec has established 25 indicators and objectives in its strategic plan, which are attached to the agreement, and will continue to make health results available to the public, including through its existing online Dashboard. Quebec will collaborate with the Canadian Institute for Health Information to promote the development, use and exchange of common indicators for its health and social services. This will allow best practices to be shared and ensure continuous improvement of the healthcare system.
This plan:
- Improve access to family health teams
- Open new frontline clinics and add frontline professionals;
- Develop the “Votre Santé” platform to facilitate appointment booking;
- Introduce a helicopter medical transport service; and
- Improve care for patients with rare or chronic diseases.
- Reduce surgical and diagnostic delays
- Maintain the new approach developed for vaccination and screening, expanding its reach to other frontline services; and
- Update the emergency measures plan and the supply of personal protective equipment.
- Accelerate the digital change in the healthcare network, finalize the creation of an easy-to-use interface for patients and healthcare professionals. This transition will be piloted at two facilities, before being rolled out across the entire network.
- Strengthen social and mental health services
- Improve support for community organizations working in health and social services;
- Increase mental health, homelessness and addiction services;
- Create new respite care spaces for parents of disabled children; and
- Strengthen care and services for troubled youth.
Additionally, the Government of Canada will contribute nearly $1.2 billion to support Quebec’s five-year action plan to help people age with dignity close to home, with access to home care or long-term care facility care. safe term. This plan:
- Improve access to home and community care
- Offer greater support to community groups and social economy companies that provide home care services; and
- Increase the availability of care hours for long-term, short-term and palliative home care.
- Improve the safety and quality of life of residents of long-term care facilities.
- Provide housing adapted to the needs of seniors for a quality living environment;
- Support the rollout of senior residences and alternative housing; and
- Take care of seniors and their caregivers by offering free access to the shingles vaccine.
Quebec’s health system is based on the principles of universality, accessibility, comprehensiveness, portability and public management. The Canadian and Quebec departments of Health are committed to measuring and reporting progress on the government’s collective and specific objectives towards its citizens.
The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the importance of supporting health data infrastructure, including data collection and public reporting. This will improve transparency of results, help manage public health emergencies, and ensure that people can access their own health information, which will be shared among healthcare workers across healthcare settings.
The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the right of indigenous peoples to receive appropriate health care services adapted to their needs, in a spirit of reconciliation. That is why they are committed to improving healthcare services for all residents of the province, especially addressing the needs of underserved and disadvantaged populations.