Conference of Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health

NEWS ­– Calgary, Alberta, October 16, 2025

Provincial and territorial ministers for health met today in Calgary, renewing their commitment to work together to build sustainable health care systems that respond to changes and challenges facing each government.* 

Ministers discussed the moving threat of U.S. tariffs which increases the vulnerability of provincial and territorial health systems, especially the cost, supply and procurement of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment.

“Alberta is proud to welcome health and wellness ministers from across the country as we consider our common challenges and further our common opportunities”, said Adriana LaGrange, Alberta’s minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services. “With the changing global landscape, there has never been a more pressing time to work together, explore new pathways, adapt and build resilient health systems, and improve the health of all Canadians.”

Specific priorities discussed included improving health outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit, shortages and mobility of health care professionals, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding federal funding agreements and commitments.

Federal funding

Provinces and territories are responsible for the administration of their health systems and health care delivery. They require equitable and sustainable federal funding that enables them to deliver innovative programs and services that best serve the unique needs of their respective populations.

Ministers reiterated the need for the federal government to fulfil its responsibility to support provincial and territorial health systems by providing them with core health funding through the Canada Health Transfer, including maintaining the five per cent escalator, and other bilateral agreements.

Ministers agreed that the federal government must adapt its interventions to respective provincial and territorial health challenges as each jurisdiction varies in priorities, legislation, infrastructure, economic realities, and the evolution of their independent health systems.

With the federal budget yet to be tabled, Ministers shared their concerns surrounding the lack of clarity and commitment on current, developing and soon-to-expire funding commitments made by the previous federal government, notably the bilateral agreements arising from the February 2023 federal funding framework and funding for contraception and diabetes medications.

Ministers agreed to propose a time-limited, senior officials-level working group to Health Canada that would collaboratively examine expiring and outstanding federal health commitments and determine a flexible path forward to ensure the needs of our provincial and territorial health care systems are being met.

Ministers call on the federal government to ensure long-term equitable and sustainable funding through the Canada Health Transfer and existing agreements.

Canada Health Act – interpretation letter

Provincial and territorial ministers are committed to strong public health care systems. Of concern to all provincial and territorial ministers responsible for health and wellness, is the impending implementation of the federal government’s Canada Health Act Services Policy.

Therefore, provinces and territories expect to be consulted and afforded the opportunity to provide provincial and territorial clarity as to how the Canada Health Act Services Policy is interpreted by the governments responsible with delivering health care in their respective jurisdictions.**

Indigenous health

Across Canada, First Nations, Métis and Inuit continue to experience barriers to accessing health care services, resulting in poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous people.

The Ministers discussed the importance of the federal government in working collaboratively with Indigenous, provincial and territorial governments in funding health programs and services. Ministers discussed instances of the federal government withdrawing funding from Indigenous communities.

They unanimously agreed that the health needs, priorities and perspectives of regional and local Indigenous communities are distinct and unique, and each province and territory is committed to working with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders in their jurisdiction to inform health system improvements. The federal Minister of Indigenous Services will be invited to upcoming meetings.

Health workforce

Many highly trained foreign health care workers have moved to Canada and are now practicing, but others remain sidelined by complicated immigration processes and backlogs that require federal action. Ministers discussed provincial and territorial pathways and experiences to attract and recruit foreign-trained health care workers, accelerate credential recognition, and facilitate their smooth integration into the workforce.

Workforce initiatives that are underway between provinces and territories include improving mobility of physician and nursing as well as all allied health care professionals between jurisdictions to meet the anticipated workforce needs of the future. Provinces and territories asked that the federal government remove barriers to immigration for health care professionals, and will be inviting the federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to future meetings.

Mental health, addiction and recovery

Ministers shared their respective priorities and their commitment to the newly formed provincial–territorial ministers’ forum on mental health, addiction and recovery.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Meeting

The provincial and territorial ministers responsible for health and wellness look forward to open and productive discussions tomorrow with federal health minister Marjorie Michel.

*Note: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, and Yukon are not parties to this communiqué as they are each in caretaker mode due to elections.

**Note: Québec does not recognize the authority of the Canada Health Act over the administration of its health system and does not consider itself bound by the policy, considering it as an intrusion over its exclusive jurisdiction.

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Media Contact:
Maddison McKee
780-220-4874
Press Secretary, Primary and Preventative Health Services, Alberta
maddison.mckee@gov.ab.ca