Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new $1.2 billion federal investment in ocean conservation in Vancouver, describing measures to increase monitoring, strengthen ocean science, and better protect Canadian waters. The pledge came alongside an economic update and budget details that, according to the Star, cut or let lapse several major health and social program financings. The federal government will not renew the $1.2 billion in annual transfers supporting mental health, addiction services, and home and community care, and it appears the $600 million in annual transfers for long-term care will also end. The $500 million annual fund to increase access to expensive drugs for rare diseases is unlikely to continue past next March, and the Canada Health Transfer’s growth rate will drop from a planned five percent to three percent after 2028. National pharmacare, first funded with $1.5 billion over five years under Justin Trudeau, has no new line item and roughly $600 million remains unallocated; only British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Yukon had signed deals and provinces such as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador say Carney is delaying action. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund worth $625 million will sunset next year while Canada-wide early learning transfers will continue only at previously negotiated levels, prompting criticism from health advocates including Steven Staples of the Canadian Health Coalition that vital services will be allowed to expire.
