As committed to earlier this year, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland (photo), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, today (Thursday July 14) confirmed that the provinces and territories have now received an additional $2.85 billion in funding for health care, public transit, and safer air in our schools.
Today’s transfers were made possible by the passage of Bill C-19, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022 and other measures, which received Royal Assent on June 23, 2022.
First, the federal government today transferred an additional $2 billion to the provinces and territories through a one-time top-up to the Canada Health Transfer (CHT), building on the $45.2 billion provinces and territories will receive this year through the CHT—a 4.8 percent increase over last year. This support will help provinces and territories reduce the backlogs of surgeries and procedures exacerbated by the pandemic.
Second, the federal government today provided $750 million to provinces and territories to deliver to municipalities to maintain public transit service levels, as they address shortfalls resulting from decreased ridership during the pandemic. To increase the impact of this investment, the funding was conditional on provincial and territorial governments committing to match the federal contribution. It is also conditional on a commitment to accelerate their work with their municipalities to build more homes for Canadians, to help make life more affordable in cities across the country.
Third, the federal government transferred an additional $100 million to provinces and territories through the existing Safe Return to Class Fund, to ensure the air in our classrooms is as clean as possible for students, teachers, and staff.
This funding continues the support provided through the original $2 billion Safe Return to Class Fund by specifically targeting ventilation-related improvement projects.
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