Canada’s $200 billion healthcare budget signals high demand for professionals
- New spending for healthcare was highlighted as a top priority in Canada’s Budget 2023.
- Early February this year, the government announced that it would be spending nearly $200 billion over the next ten years for healthcare in Canada, in addition to existing commitments.
- This includes $46.2 billion in funding allocated to the provinces and territories, including additional Canada Health Transfer measures, which are individual bilateral agreements with each province and tailored to their specific needs.
Dental care for Canadians and Newcomers
- Budget 2023 honoured an agreement between the Liberal government and the NDP (New Democratic Party) to create a national dental plan for uninsured Canadians. The budget proposes $13 billion over five years, and $4.4 billion ongoing, to implement the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
- Dental care in Canada has never been covered under provincial healthcare programs and is often out of reach for those on a low income.
- According to the budget, the new plan would provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with an annual family income under $90,000, with no co-pays for those with family incomes under $70,000.
- The Canadian government provides free healthcare for all the permanent residents in their provinces. It covers everyday medical expenses, emergency medicine, etc.
Other healthcare spending
- There were several other measures proposed as part of the Budget’s healthcare plan. Among them, $158.4 million will be allocated over three years to support the implementation and operation of 988, a hotline for suicide prevention and support during a mental health crisis. This would begin as of November 30, 2023.
- The Canada Community Health Survey reported in December 2022 that 1.5% of immigrants and 3% of the Canadian-born population reported having had suicidal thoughts in the past year.
- Additionally, the Budget proposed $36 million over three years to renew the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund.
