During the pandemic, we saw the incredible work of our healthcare workers. That is why the Conservatives are committed to increasing each annual health transfer by at least 6%. Healthcare delivery is a provincial responsibility, but we want to make sure that they have the resources to ensure it is delivered well.
We will follow the best practices of our allies like the UK to create more capacity to produce vaccines and other critical supplies so we can be ready if there is another pandemic. We will also encourage more investment from the pharmaceutical sector so we are never left behind on vaccines again.
We will overhaul our pandemic response plan and establish a thorough system for determining how to best respond to future disease outbreaks. This will include ensuring that The Public Health Agency of Canada is properly equipped to deal with a pandemic.
We will also focus on combating the mental health crisis that has worsened as a result of the pandemic. We will work with the provincial government to ensure Albertans get the mental healthcare treatments they need. We will create a fund to support charities and non-profits which deliver mental health services; and create a 3 digit suicide prevention hotline.
We will also restore many of the vital safeguards around MAID to protect the most vulnerable. In order to reduce the number of vulnerable Canadians, we are going to significantly increase access to palliative care so everyone will have the chance to live their final years with dignity.
I also believe that more can be done to make complementary health services more accessible. Public healthcare covers certain types of services, but there are other wellness services supported by well-established science which may prevent the onset of disease. These complementary services often do not receive the attention that they deserve. Healthcare should be about promoting wellness, not just managing disease when it occurs.
I have asked the Standing Committee on Health to undertake a study on self-care products and wellness services. This is an area that requires significantly more work and study, and something that I will continue to put forward in the next Parliament.