BCNU Praises Federal Budget 2018

BCNU is pleased to review the federal government's priorities for Budget 2018 which includes commitments to equality and prosperity for those who need it most. In particular, the announcement of over $200 million over five years toward combating the opioid crisis demonstrates the government's genuine commitment to addressing the epidemic and subsequent mental health needs. This year the federal government has committed $165 million.

Also of note is the government's move toward national pharmacare. The creation of a national committee to provide the federal government with options on how to proceed with a national pharmacare program is optimistic and is consistent with BCNU's advocacy towards universal drug coverage for all Canadians.

Finally, this budget provides hundreds of millions of dollars that will be invested into Indigenous communities to help further develop skills and employment training programs and bring clean drinking water to Indigenous communities.

The progressive direction in which the government proposed to address additional social determinants of health, including child and family care funding for Indigenous peoples, gender equity and parental leave will in the long-term lessen already overburdened nurses, the health care system, other health professionals, devastated families and communities. BCNU has long held the belief that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for their own health and well-being and that of their community and welcomes the commitment by the federal government.