Canadians are rightfully proud of their publicly funded health care system. Ensuring accessible, public, high-quality health care is ever critical as we adapt to a post-pandemic reality. The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed an estimated 700,000 surgeries and other medical procedures, resulting in an increase of waitlists and backlogs. The federal government is today taking further action to help provinces and territories deliver quicker access to health care, reduce the backlog accumulated during the pandemic and support hundreds of thousands additional surgeries.
Today, the federal government introduced Bill C-17 in the House of Commons, which would provide an additional $2 billion one-time top-up to provinces and territories, distributed equally per capita. This amount-in addition to the $4.5 billion Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up provided since the start of the pandemic-would further help provinces and territories to address immediate pandemic-related health care system pressures, particularly the backlogs of surgeries, medical procedures and diagnostics.
The Government of Canada will continue to work collaboratively with the provinces and territories to drive positive health care outcomes for Canadians. This investment is a part of the government's promise to Canadians to protect their health. It would provide doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals with the resources they need to ensure Canadians have access to the care they deserve. Provinces and territories would be able to use this funding to support their own unique circumstances, including strengthening the health workforce.
Bill C-17 would also provide the authority for the previously announced transfer of $750 million to help municipalities deal with transit shortfalls and to improve housing supply and affordability, in partnership with the provinces and territories. This one-time payment would help cities maintain their service levels despite decreased ridership as a result of the pandemic.
