ADVOCACY

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Informing and Advancing National Priorities

The CHCA actively shapes policy and funding decisions to advance integrated home and community care. We focus on informing federal government decision-makers, placing home care at the forefront of healthcare transformation planning and funding considerations.

By creating policy briefing documents, participating in advisory councils, and leading national projects, we collaborate with our members to champion home care as an essential component of a cohesive health and social care system.

News

Canadian Home Care Association Endorses G7 Declaration to Elevate Domestic and Home Care Workers
June 11, 2024—Mississauga, ON
The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) announces the release of the G7 Declaration, a landmark document supported by global partners. Released prior to the June 2024 G7 Summit in Italy, this declaration is designed to inform discussions, highlighting the vital contributions of domestic and unregulated home care workers.
Press Release | Backgrounder

Federal Priorities

2025 Federal Budget Submission

The CHCA’s  pre-budget submission outlines four key priorities for federal investment to align with provincial and territorial initiatives, fostering a coordinated nationwide approach to home care.

  • Expand Access: Invest $800 million annually over five years to expand access to home and community care services and create robust data systems and reporting mechanisms to track progress effectively and utilize resources.
  • Invest in People: Invest $300 million annually for four years to support the development of a skilled and sustainable healthcare workforce.
  • Accelerate Integration: Invest $750 million over three years in an Integrated People-Centred Care Transition Fund, managed and coordinated by Health Canada, to accelerate the adoption and scaling of integrated home care and primary healthcare models.
  • Enhance Digital Literacy: The federal government should invest $17.6 million to expand and extend the Digital Literacy Exchange Program (DLEP) for an additional three years to build patients’ and caregivers’ skills in digital health literacy.

A Dementia Strategy for Canada

In 2019, the federal government launched Canada’s inaugural national dementia strategy. This strategy outlines a vision for the future and sets common principles and national objectives to guide actions. It focuses on advancing key priority areas such as caregiver support, dementia awareness, clinical practice guidelines, and research.

These efforts are creating opportunities to enhance understanding and support for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

The CHCA plays a pivotal role in advocating for and advancing this national strategy.

Our efforts include:

Action Plan on Palliative Care

Ensuring access to quality palliative care is crucial for the well-being of Canadians living with life-limiting illnesses and their caregivers. Health Canada’s 2019 Action Plan on Palliative Care presents a five-year plan to enhance the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illness, their families, and caregivers.

It aims to improve access and quality of care, as well as healthcare system performance, complementing the efforts and funding under the F/P/T Shared Health Priorities.

The CHCA has been instrumental in planning and implementing this plan.

With projects such as:

View the Federal Government report on the State of Palliative Care in Canada in Parliament on December 4, 2023.

F/P/T Shared Health Priorities

The Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities underpins a bilateral agreement between the federal government and provinces and territories, focusing on home and community care. In our ‘Better Home Care in Canada’ initiative, the CHCA, in partnership with the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Nurses Association, has informed the specific funding priorities for the Shared Health Priorities. This includes a commitment of $6 billion over 10 years, starting in 2017, to meet the needs of our aging population and to provide home and community-based services

The CHCA is actively collaborating with our members and sector partners to advance the key priorities outlined in the bilateral agreements:

TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Human Resource Challenge: Issues & Options Brief

Presentation on the labour market challenges for home care providers (nursing and personal support worker shortages) and six key recommendations.  Download presentation

Meeting the Needs of Individuals Living with Dementia at Home

A user friendly infographic outlining the key challenges for home care providers and caregivers and key recommendations moving forwards. Download infographic

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