QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Aging with Dignity Agreements
May 1, 2024
My question is to the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, in Budget 2024, reference is made to Aging with Dignity agreements to improve access to home care, community care or care in a safe, long-term care facility for seniors.
Currently, nine provinces and territories have announced agreements with the federal government, but that does not include my own province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Can you provide an update on the process and any reasons why Newfoundland and Labrador might not have signed on to this agreement with the federal government as of yet?
Thank you for your question. I’m not in a position to discuss the negotiations for the Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements as you can well understand. However, I have every confidence that the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to come to an agreement. As you know, this was done recently with the federal government providing almost $256 million to support Newfoundland and Labrador’s three-year action plan to deliver needed improvements to its health care system.
Senator Gold, since one of the goals of these federal-provincial agreements is to improve access to home care, does the government intend to financially support the continued development of technology as it pertains to helping our aging Canadians stay at home longer, should that be their preference?
Thank you for your question. We know — and research shows — that it’s far better for people to stay in their homes and obtain the care that they need there. The Aging with Dignity agreements focus on this important goal.
These agreements are underpinned by the same key principles and commitments as the Working Together bilateral agreements. This includes modernizing the health care systems so that health care providers and patients have access to electronic health information, which will undoubtedly help more Canadians stay in their homes longer and with dignity.
