Province, Ottawa both announce health-related funding packages

The federal and provincial governments announced separate funding commitments Thursday aimed at addressing health issues among young and marginalized people in Alberta.

Milton, Ont., MP Adam van Koeverden announced that Ottawa is dedicating more than $635,000 for three agencies to target “complex public health challenges.”

Calgary-based Children First Canada will receive $250,000 for a project aimed at helping the well-being of children, Red Deer Urban Aboriginal Voices Society will receive $141,300 to develop a community health impact assessment tool, and Ribbon Rouge Foundation is receiving $243,940 to help address health inequities in Caribbean, African and Black communities.

The funds are being distributed through the newly created Intersectoral Action Fund.

“Canada is one of the healthiest countries in the world and everyone in Canada deserves opportunities and resources for health and well-being,” said van Koeverden.

He said different communities across Canada face a variety of barriers when it comes to accessing health care. He said those barriers should be self-identified and communities need to be involved in creating solutions that are appropriate for them.

Meanwhile, the provincial government announced Thursday it is dedicating $1 million to three organizations to increase the accessibility of mental-health supports for Alberta families. Catholic Family Service (CFS) in Calgary, Family Centre of Northern Alberta and Multi-cultural Health Brokers in Edmonton will all receive the funds.

A further $800,000 will be directed toward a number of northern Alberta organizations and eight Métis settlements.

“We're committed to supporting the well-being and mental health of young people. We also said we would address gaps in this new network and that's what we're doing. These investments will provide critical mental health services and ensure consistent delivery of those supports across the province,” Children's Services Minister Rebecca Schulz said in a news release.

Catholic Family Service in Calgary and the Family Centre in northern Alberta will offer in-person counselling in their regions, while Edmonton's Multi-cultural Health Brokers will provide counselling to Indigenous and newcomer families throughout the province.