Health and Community Services
August 22, 2017
Minister Haggie Welcomes the Release of a Common Statement of Principles with the Federal Government
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is welcoming the release of a Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities between the federal, provincial (with the exception of Quebec, which has reached an alternate agreement) and territorial Ministers of Health. These priorities are consistent with actions being undertaken in Newfoundland and Labrador to strengthen existing programs and services and provide more timely access to mental health and addictions services, as well as home and community care.
The Common Statement of Principles flows from Newfoundland and Labrador’s December 2016 agreement on federal funding for mental health and addictions and home and community care reached with the Government of Canada. Over the next 10 years, the Federal Government will support home and community care and mental health and addictions initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador through combined funding of $160.7 million ($87.7 million for home care and $73 million for mental health initiatives).
The statement outlines a collective commitment on the part of all governments to work together to improve access to mental health and addictions services, as well as home and community care. It also acknowledges the commitment of federal, provincial and territorial governments to continue to work with Indigenous peoples to improve access to health services and health outcomes.
Over the coming months, the Provincial Government will work with the Federal Government to determine how funding will be used, and how it will be consistent with the Common Statement of Principles, and how governments will report on progress. The first year of funding is expected this month.
Budget 2017 included $5 million to begin implementation of Towards Recovery – the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, and $7.5 million to advance planning for the replacement of the Waterford Hospital. Towards Recovery is a plan to transform mental health and addictions care in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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“Our government continues to advance commitments in the Way Forward surrounding the provision of long-term care, home and community supports, and the Mental Health and Addictions Action plan. The provincial and federal governments will reach an agreement on the health outcomes for federal funding. I maintain how we get there, will be up to us as a province. I look forward to continued work on health priorities with the Government of Canada.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
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Learn more
A Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities – www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/transparency/health-agreements/principles-shared-health-priorities.html 
Newfoundland and Labrador Reaches Agreement on Funding for Canadian Health Accord - www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/exec/1223n07.aspx
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Media contact
Emily Timmins
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 693-1292
emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca
2017 08 22 3:55 p.m.