Saskatchewan is the eighth province to sign a bilateral healthcare funding agreement with Ottawa.

The federal government announced Wednesday morning that it has reached an agreement in principle with Saskatchewan that will see investments of nearly $6 billion in the province’s health care system over the next decade.

The agreement provides $1.11 billion for a new bilateral deal “focused on shared healthcare priorities.”

It also includes a one-time payment of $61 million to address “urgent needs,” particularly in children’s hospitals and emergency rooms, and the long wait for surgery.

“This agreement in principle with the federal government is an important step in enhancing and accelerating the work that has already begun,” Saskatchewan Secretary of Health Paul Merriman said in a joint press release on Wednesday.

The provincial government says the funds will be used to accelerate or improve new measures already being rolled out to improve access to frontline medical care, surgical care, and mental health and addiction services.

Minister Merriman says this is a positive step and will help build a stronger, more resilient and more efficient healthcare system for all residents of the province.

“Saskatchewan continues to make significant investments in the healthcare system to address priority challenges such as reducing surgical delays and wait times while increasing access to mental health services,” the minister said.

mobility of caregivers

These bilateral agreements with each of the provinces are the first step in building the comprehensive supply of $196 billion in federal health funding over ten years that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presented to the provincial and territorial ministerial heads in Ottawa last month .

Ottawa has had bilateral agreements with Ontario, the four Atlantic provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and now Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe previously said the offer was far less than what the provinces were asking for, but none had the power to turn down.

As part of this new bilateral agreement, Ottawa also commits to working with Saskatchewan to facilitate the recognition of qualifications for internationally trained health workers and “encourage the mobility of key health workers.”

Saskatchewan has also agreed to collect, use, and share de-identified health information to track progress in key health care areas using common key indicators.

Secretary of State for Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc said the agreement “builds on our shared goal of ensuring that all Canadians, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay, have access to the care they need, when they need it.” “.

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