Budget 2024: A Missed Opportunity to Transform Child and Youth Healthcare

April 16, 2024 - Ottawa - As the federal government unveils its budget for 2024, Children's Healthcare Canada and the Pediatric Chairs of Canada acknowledge and applaud new investments intended to deliver the best start for every child, including $500 million over four years to build capacity to deliver youth mental health services, $1 billion over five years for a National School Food Program and a commitment to develop a National Caregiving Strategy.

These are important building blocks towards a future fit for kids. The budget also announced previous commitments relevant to children and youth including increased supports through the child tax benefit, expanded access to early learning and childcare, and the new Canada dental benefit program.

"We urge the federal government to continue to prioritize investments focused on children, youth and their families. Canada is experiencing a crisis in child and youth health. Measurable decline in the health and wellbeing of this country’s children has implications at the individual, family, society, and systems levels." emphasized Emily Gruenwoldt, President and CEO, Children’s Healthcare Canada, and Executive Director, Pediatric Chairs of Canada. "We need to move beyond band aid solutions to create a future fit for kids."

Children’s Healthcare Canada and the Pediatric Chairs of Canada, alongside other national children’s health organizations believe the federal government has a leadership role to play to measurably improve the health outcomes of children and youth. Children are not small adults. They require tailored physical and mental healthcare services across the continuum of primary care, community settings, acute care, and rehabilitation. Without access to highly specialized care and tools in interconnected, well-resourced, and sustainable systems, children in Canada will struggle to achieve their full potential.

To truly ensure every generation is able to reach its full potential, Children's Healthcare Canada and the Pediatric Chairs of Canada reiterate our recommendation for the development of a comprehensive national strategy for child and youth health, and a Chief Children’s Health Officer accountable for it’s implementation. A national strategy must include ring-fenced funding for child and youth health to enable meaningful progress in improving health outcomes for young Canadians.

As advocates for and experts in the well-being of children and youth, we remain committed to working with the federal government to ensure that healthcare policies and investments adequately address the diverse needs of children and youth in Canada.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Marjolaine Provost
Senior Advisor, Communications
mprovost@childhealthcan.ca