Silas: Canada’s economy relies on a thriving public health care system that supports the health of everyone in Canada
November 5, 2026 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) is urging the federal government to continue making strong public health care funding a priority, following few health care funding commitments in Budget 2026.
While the CFNU commends the federal government’s short-term extension of key bilateral agreements on long-term care, home and community care, and mental health and addictions services, CFNU President Linda Silas pointed to the growing need for stable, long-term public health care funding.
“The extension of these key health bilateral agreements will keep funding flowing for critical programs and services, but only for one more year. While this short-term bridge is a positive step, it also demonstrates the need for stable public health care funding that meets the needs of patients across the country,” Silas said. “Patchwork funding is not going to meet Canada’s health care demands. Broader health care funding changes are looming, and privatized health care services are popping up across the country. It’s time for the federal government to focus on the long-term strength of Canada’s public health care system.”
Canada’s nurses applaud the commitments in Budget 2026 to end homelessness over the next decade. Housing is a key social determinant of health, and nurses welcome all measures that support the health of communities across the country. The budget also invests in Indigenous health, including funding for Jordan’s Principle and the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, which the CFNU has been calling for.
Despite these encouraging developments, Canada’s nurses are anxious to hear that the federal government will provide increased core funding for the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) annual growth rate, which will reduce next year if there are no changes.
Silas emphasized the need for the federal government to work collaboratively with provinces, territories and health care stakeholders to ensure that any reassessment of the CHT growth rate does not result in cuts to public health care services. The CFNU is calling for the federal government to restore the previous 6% CHT growth rate, to ensure funding keeps pace with long-term pressures facing provincial and territorial health systems.
“Canada’s economy relies on a thriving public health care system that supports the health of everyone in Canada while strengthening our economy,” Silas said. “It’s up to the federal government to take bold leadership and ensure our public health care system remains a strong economic foundation and ensure Canadians’ have access to quality care for generations to come.”
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The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing 250,000 frontline unionized nurses and nursing students in every sector of health care – from home care and LTC to community and acute care – and advocating on key priorities to strengthen public health care across the country.
For more information, please contact Adella Khan, media@nursesunions.ca, 613‑807‑2942.