Canada commits billions to improving the healthcare system
The Canadian government has committed to investing close to C$200 billion ($149 billion; ￡124 billion) in the nation's failing healthcare system over the next ten years.In a Tuesday statement, the financing was presented as a generational solution for the system.
Canada's hospitals have been struggling for months with a staffing shortage and protracted wait times for care.Since then, a few stories of patients passing away while awaiting treatment have surfaced. All citizens and permanent residents of Canada have free, unlimited access to the essential hospital and doctor visits thanks to the taxpayer-funded healthcare system. It is funded by a combination of federal and provincial funds, but is handled locally. Through the Canada Health Transfer, the federal government provides about 25% of the financing.
The Canadian provincial premiers, who have pressed Mr. Trudeau to raise federal spending on healthcare, heard the prime minister's funding appeal.
But Mr. Trudeau had previously stated that he would not boost financing with no strings attached..Tuesday after a meeting with the premiers, Mr. Trudeau declared that his administration is "doing now so Canadians can continue to have faith in our public system."
He declared, "This is a big country, founded on big progressive ideas. Few things are more fundamental to who we are as Canadians than the guarantee of free, comprehensive healthcare.
His plan calls for spending $196.1 billion on healthcare over the next ten years, $46.2 billion of which is additional funding not included in the budget.Over the following ten years, the total translates to an increase in the Canada Health Transfer to provinces of about 61%.
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After meeting with the premiers on Tuesday, Mr. Trudeau declared that his administration is "taking action now so Canadians can continue to have faith in our public system."
According to him, "This is a vast country, built on big progressive ideas. The promise of publicly funded, universal healthcare is one of the things that defines Canadians the most.
His proposal calls for spending $196.1 billion on healthcare over the course of ten years, $46.2 billion of which is additional funding.
In sum, the provinces will receive a roughly 61% increase in the Canada Health Transfer during the following ten years.