Canada’s Budget for 2023 prioritizes healthcare with a $200 billion investment. Due to the existing labor shortages and the absence of funding, the provincial and territorial governments requested financial assistance from the federal government. Additionally, the aging Canadian population is yet another stressful factor for the healthcare sector.
The data of the 2021 Census states that there are nearly 861,395 individuals who are beyond the age of 85 years residing in Canada. There are almost 2.1 million more individuals between the age group of 75 and 85.
This might indicate a better situation for a lower unemployment rate and where there is an increased demand for the skilled immigrant’s healthcare sector.
After the early part of February this year, the government declared its initiative to spend nearly $200 billion over the next ten years in the Canadian healthcare sector. This is only a part of other commitments and measures.
Out of which, around $46.2 billion in funding was allocated to provinces or territories. It also includes other measures like the Canada Health Transfer measures. These measures are separate bilateral agreements with each province and are apt for the provincial requirements.
Canada’s Budget 2023 prioritizes healthcare- dental care for new immigrants and Canadians
Canada’s Budget 2023 prioritized healthcare and emphasized an agreement between the liberal government and the NDP to develop a national dental plan. This will apply to uninsured Canadians. The budget committed to investing around $13 billion in the upcoming five years and $4.4 billion as part of the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Dental treatment is frequently beyond reach for persons with a lower Canadian income. This is because the provincial healthcare programs didn’t cover dental care. The Canadian Dental Association claims the average annual dental care cost is $378.60 per person.
According to the budget, the new program will offer dental treatment to Canadians without insurance with a family income under $90,000 annually, with no co-pays for those under $70,000. The plan’s rollout will commence in 2023, but no start date or information on qualifying requirements for both temporary and permanent residents has been made public.
The Canada Dental Benefit already ensured that kids of uninsured parents could take advantage of it. As a result, eligible guardians receive tax-free payments for dental care coverage for those below 12 years.
Other Healthcare investments
The Budget’s healthcare plan included a number of other proposals. One of these was 988, a hotline for suicide prevention and help in times of mental health crises. Additionally, it will get $158.4 million over the course of three years of funding. Beginning on November 30, 2023, this would occur.
The Canada Community Health Survey claims that 1.5% of immigrants and 3% of Canadian-born people reportedly experienced suicidal thoughts last year.
This fund assists neighborhood-based groups that work to increase the accessibility of sexual and reproductive health care information and services for disadvantaged groups, particularly newcomers, as well as abortion access. Regardless of their immigration status, all women in Canada have the legal right to select an abortion method.
Last but not least, the Budget includes a suggestion to allocate $10 million over the course of two years to ParticipACTION’s Let’s Get Moving Initiative, which would support national programming that aims to boost daily physical activity.
Canada’s Budget 2023 prioritizes healthcare- what about healthcare for temporary and permanent residents in Canada?
Canadian Permanent Residents have the right to avail of the free healthcare services available in Canada.
This includes both emergency medical care and the majority of ongoing medical costs. The majority of the time, provincial healthcare systems do not cover the costs of prescription drugs, ambulance services, or eye or dental care.
However, in some provinces, there may be a three-month wait before being qualified for a provincial health card after obtaining permanent residency. Once a Canadian or permanent resident has lived there long enough to be designated a resident, the province issues health cards.
Due to the fact that provincial healthcare laws differ, there are different eligibility requirements for Canadian TRs. They must carry some sort of private health insurance.
