A planned decrease in funding for provincial health care has advocates worried for the future of pharmacare, mental health
by Meagan Gillmore
May 25, 2026
Organizations across Canada are raising concerns about whether federal funding for health programs such as pharmacare, mental health and palliative care will continue.
Recently, more than 60 organizations wrote federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel urging the government to stay committed to pharmacare.
“It is unacceptable that, just as some Canadians have started to benefit from Pharmacare Act funding, this government is signalling its intention to let that funding lapse,” the March letter reads.
April’s spring economic update has only increased those concerns.
The statement projects a decrease in funding for health agreements with the provinces and territories, beginning in the 2027-2028 fiscal year.
Advocates for palliative care, mental health and rare diseases are concerned these projected decreases mean current funding agreements, set to expire in 2027, will not be renewed.
Cuts to government spending “has everything to do with the fact they need to fund defence,” said David Macdonald, a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives think tank.
Read more at Canadian Affairs
