Ontario, federal government agree on health-care deal

The Ontario government says it has reached a deal in principle on health care with Ottawa, working to improve key health issues such as mental health, primary care, and increasing the number of health-care workers in the province.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones said in a statement that additional funding from the federal government will help the province implement its plan for connected and convenient care.

“We look forward to working with our federal counterparts to reach common ground on ensuring there is sustainable federal health-care funding for generations to come,” Jones wrote in a statement Thursday.

“Ontarians deserve no less.”

The province accepted the 10-year deal yesterday after the two sides agreed to add reviews into the deal to ensure long-term sustainability.

READ MORE: Premiers agree to accept Ottawa’s health-care funding offer

The deal includes $8.4 billion in new money plus $776 million in a one-time top up for “urgent needs, especially in pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms, and long wait times for surgeries.”

The agreement in principle now allows for further discussions on how the new money will be spent, with priority issues in the province being mental health, primary care and increasing the number of health-care workers.

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in a statement that today’s agreement in principle is an opportunity to continue Ottawa’s collaboration with the province and improve the experience of health workers and those they care for.

“It will modernize our health care system, improve access to family health services and mental health services, reduce surgical backlogs and support health workers,” Duclos said.

“Better quality of care means helping Canadians live longer, healthier lives.”