OTTAWA, ON / APRIL 21, 2021 / Member organizations of HEAL, Organizations for Health Action, are pleased to see the federal government table Budget 2021 with the health of Canadians as a central focus.
Budget 2021 proposes funding for a broad area of health concerns mainly relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. HEAL is encouraged by the historic investments, and looks forward to working with the federal government on implementation.
Fulfilling one of HEAL’s primary recommendations, this week’s budget delivered strong support for seniors through proposed funding for Long-term Care standards in Canada’s provinces and territories. Enabling seniors to receive the necessary care and services, in the appropriate setting, at the right time and by the right provider has been central to HEAL’s work throughout the pandemic.
HEAL was pleased to see commitments to further invest in mental health measures including a national standard for mental health services.
Statements from François Couillard, Co-Chair of HEAL and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Association of Optometrists and Hélène Sabourin, Co-Chair of HEAL and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
“We appreciate Budget 2021 recognizing the health workers who have put themselves at the greatest risk of illness to care for other Canadians. We are happy to see that the government took many of our recommendations into consideration with this fiscal update, and we are optimistic that work will continue on ensuring the health needs of all Canadians are met into the future,” says Hélène Sabourin, Co-Chair of HEAL.
“Beyond COVID-19, we must also ensure that Canada is ready for the next public health crisis. Thank you to Health Minister Patty Hajdu and Minister for Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance Mona Fortier for their proactive stance on our recommendations,” added François Couillard, Co-Chair of HEAL.
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HEAL, Organizations for Health Action, is a coalition of 40 national health organizations dedicated to improving the health of Canadians and the quality of care they receive. Our members are professional associations of regulated health care providers and organizations of health charities that provide a range of health care services across Canada. HEAL now represents more than 650,000 providers (and consumers) of health care.
For more information and to access our Beyond COVID-19 report and our Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations, visit www.healthaction.ca.
SOURCE:
Carlos A. Godoy L.
Impact Public Affairs
514-703-4208
carlos.godoy@impactcanada.com