While the provincial and federal governments are often at odds over programs and policies, a new health-care agreement between the sides is welcome news for Albertans of all ages.
Under the new 10-year funding accord, the federal government will provide Alberta with an additional $1.3 billion for home care and mental health spending.
Specifically, $700 million will be made available to address critical home care infrastructure requirements and $600 million to support mental health care initiatives. The new funding agreement will come into effect in the 2017-18 fiscal year.
While it is important to remember that the new funding will ultimately come from the pockets of taxpayers, it is encouraging to see the governments put aside differences and come together on this new funding agreement.
"This funding will help us continue taking action that makes a difference in the lives of mental health patients," said Alberta's minister of health Sarah Hoffman.
"It also means that more Albertans who need home care will be able to stay at home, in their communities, something that we know leads to better health outcomes and less pressure in our hospitals."
Her federal counterpart, Minister Jane Philpott, added, "By working together, we will continue to improve the quality and accessibility of mental health services and home care for Albertans."
As by far and away the largest government expenditure in the province, health care is of course vital to the well-being of residents and visitors alike.
And with Alberta's population aging, the need for more health-care services will only be increasing over the next decade and beyond.
As such, it is important that the governments controlling the health-care spending purse strings work together to get the most out of the finite dollars available.
The provincial and federal governments are often at odds when it comes to the spending of public money. Thankfully in this case the parties have been able to put aside their differences for everyone's benefit.
Dan Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor.
