https://www.cna-aiic.ca/fr/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/11/06/les-canadiennes-et-canadiens-attendent-de-meilleurs-soins-de-sante-le-budget-federal-ne-repond-pas-aux-attentes-selon-laiic
OTTAWA, November 6, 2026 – The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is disappointed that Budget 2026 misses an opportunity to improve access to health care and make better use of one of Canada’s most valuable assets: its nursing workforce.
While the budget includes measures to strengthen mental health and community-based care, advance Indigenous health, and address the toxic drug crisis, it falls short of the coordinated, system-wide action needed to improve how health care is delivered across Canada.
“Canada is making major investments to strengthen its economy. We need to bring that same ambition to improving health care,” said Dr. Valerie Grdisa, CEO of CNA. “When people can’t access timely care, the consequences ripple far beyond the health system. Health conditions worsen, workforce participation is affected, and pressure intensifies in hospitals and emergency departments. A stronger economy depends on a healthier population, and that requires better access to care.”
Budget 2026 leaves uncertainty about long-term federal health funding. The minimum 5% annual Canada Health Transfer growth guarantee expires after 2027–28, when funding will return to a GDP-linked formula with a minimum annual increase of 3%. CNA is calling for predictable, multi-year health funding that enables governments to plan services, improve access to care, and deliver measurable health outcomes. Investing in people’s health is essential to Canada’s economic strength and resilience.
The budget also falls short of advancing a pan-Canadian nursing workforce strategy that Canada urgently needs. CNA has called for coordinated planning, greater harmonization of nursing regulation, better use of specialty nursing practice, and the expansion of nurse-led models of care. Enabling nurses to work to their full legislated scope of practice and making better use of their specialized expertise would expand access to care and strengthen health-system capacity across Canada.
“Nursing offers some of the most practical solutions governments have to improve access to care,” said Dr. Grdisa. “We need to align policy, regulation and investment so nurses can use the full range of their knowledge, skills and expertise. That means more people getting the care they need, stronger health systems, and healthier communities.”
CNA welcomes the proposed Integrated Supports Fund as an important step toward connecting housing with health, mental health, addictions and social supports. But investments in facilities must be matched by ensuring nurses and other health professionals have the capacity to meet growing needs in communities across Canada.
CNA also welcomes renewed funding for public health workers and initiatives in Indigenous communities. These investments must respond to distinctions-based needs and support Indigenous leadership, culturally safer services, and lasting improvements in access to care.
The renewal of Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund will provide continued support for communities responding to the toxic drug crisis. Yet as access to harm reduction services is reduced in parts of Canada, CNA is calling for sustained federal leadership, investment, and stronger accountability to ensure access to life-saving services does not depend on where a person lives.
CNA is also disappointed that Budget 2026 does not advance its recommendation to allow all categories of regulated nurses to certify disability tax credit applications. While the government has proposed changes to simplify applications and expand certification authority for certain health professionals, the proposal continues to overlook other categories of regulated nurses. This practical change would reduce unnecessary barriers and delays, better use the expertise of regulated nurses, and help eligible Canadians with disabilities access the financial support they need sooner.
CNA and its members, affiliates and chapters will continue working with federal, provincial and territorial governments, nursing partners, and health-system leaders to advance proven solutions that improve access, quality and equity while strengthening Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health systems.
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About the Canadian Nurses Association
CNA is the national and global voice of the nursing profession in Canada. Our mission is to advance nursing excellence and publicly funded, not-for-profit health systems to improve the health and well-being of all people in Canada. CNA is the only national association that speaks for all nurses in all sectors and practice settings across the 13 provinces and territories. We advocate on behalf of more than half a million regulated nurses across all categories (licensed or registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses), nursing students, and retired nurses.
Media contact:
Kerri-Anne Finn, Media and Communications Lead
Cell: 613-282-7859 | Email: kfinn@cna-aiic.ca
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