News Release

Brampton, Ontario

Our universal public healthcare system is essential to Canadians. But unfortunately, patients are experiencing long wait times in overwhelmed emergency rooms, experiencing postponed or cancelled surgeries, and health workers are under enormous strain. Immediate action is needed to deliver better health care for Canadians. 

That is why MP Sonia Sidhu is proud to highlight that the federal government has announced major new investments in Canada’s healthcare system that will bring real results for residents in Brampton South. This funding will include the following benefits:

• An immediate, $2 billion Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up to address immediate pressures on the health care system.
• $25 billion over ten years to advance shared health priorities through bilateral agreements that will support the needs of people in each province and territory in four areas of priority:
  • family health services;
  • health workers and backlogs;
  • mental health and substance use; and
  • a modernized health system
• $1.7 Billion over five years to support hourly wage increases for personal support workers and related professions to support recruitment and retention.

This funding will help improve understaffed emergency rooms and long wait times for surgeries, and ensure that more people in our community struggling with mental health-related issues have access to the care they need. Increased investment in personal support workers means that people who need extra care, especially our senior community members, will have better access to it. Access to home care and safe long-term care means residents of Brampton South can age safely and with dignity. 

As a Member of the Health Committee in Parliament and having worked in the healthcare field for more than 18 years before entering politics, MP Sidhu knows that Canadians must have equitable access to medical care based on their needs, not their ability to pay. 

In addition to these commitments, the federal government has called on provinces and territories to improve how health information is collected, shared, used, and reported to Canadians, making health care faster and more accessible for residents of Brampton South. 

These are significant steps towards improving our public health care system and ensuring it lives up to expectations. The federal government will continue collaborating with provinces and territories on the next steps in the best interest of Canadians, their families, and healthcare workers. 

For more information on federal healthcare commitments, please visit 

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2023/02/working-together-to-improve-health-care-for-canadians.html

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CONTACT:

The Office of Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament, Brampton South

P: (905) 846-0076   |  E: [email protected]