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Health ministers meet in Winnipeg as Ottawa extends $1.2B mental health funding by one year
Provincial and territorial health ministers gather in Winnipeg today as federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel announces a one-year extension of $1.2 billion in mental health, addictions and home care funding.
Why it matters
Provincial and territorial health ministers are meeting in Winnipeg today (October 15), chaired by Manitoba's Uzoma Asagwara; federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel will co-chair Friday's session. On the eve of the meeting, Michel announced late Wednesday that Ottawa is extending its $1.2 billion in mental health, addictions and home care funding by one year — the existing agreements expire March 31, and provinces had been pressing Ottawa to renew.
What provinces want
Provincial health ministries had warned that failing to renew the funding would have a "serious negative impact" on patients and health-care jobs. Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, demanded the renewal be made a priority.
Beyond the dedicated funding, provinces are also concerned about the Canada Health Transfer: under federal budget rules its minimum growth rate drops from 5% to 3% starting in 2028, and provinces want Ottawa to reconsider.
Sources
The Canadian Press (via Winnipeg Free Press, 2026-10-15).
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