Health ministers discuss future federal health funding at Winnipeg meeting

Federal, provincial and territorial health ministers, along with ministers responsible for mental health, addictions and recovery, met in Winnipeg to discuss health priorities, Health Canada said in a statement.

The federal government reiterated its commitment to work with provinces and territories to renew Working Together bilateral agreements. Ministers also agreed to continue discussions on future federal investments in home and community care, and in mental health and substance use.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health and Ministers of Mental Health, Addictions, and Recovery, meeting participants as represented in the Health Canada statement, said: “Canadians expect timely access to high-quality health care, and governments share a responsibility to ensure health systems continue to meet those expectations.”

Ministers will continue talks on an approach to the long-term sustainability of federal health funding and are to meet again to discuss progress before the end of 2026. Provincial and territorial ministers also welcomed confirmation of ongoing annual federal funding of $500 million for the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, according to Health Canada.

Participating jurisdictions affirmed support for a new Canadian Public Health Information Sharing Agreement. Health Canada said the proposed agreement is intended to enable secure sharing of public-health information once it is finalized.

A footnote to the Health Canada statement said British Columbia and Quebec were not parties to the communiqué because they were in provincial election caretaker periods.