Canada invests $28M+ for virtual health in Quebec

OTTAWA – Canada’s universal, publicly funded healthcare system is a source of pride for Canadians. The Government of Canada is working closely with provincial and territorial governments to strengthen healthcare and adapt the system to the challenges of delivering health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos (pictured), Canada’s minister of health, announced a Canada-Québec agreement for virtual healthcare services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this agreement, Quebec is receiving more than $28 million to expand its virtual healthcare services. Quebec will invest the federal funds through two initiatives:

• A Virtual Ophthalmology Solution which uses artificial intelligence to identify and manage diabetic retinopathy for patients with type 2 diabetes; and,
• A Virtual Care and Services Platform to manage and integrate requests for all types of teleconsultations in Quebec.

“Access to virtual healthcare services is more important now than ever before. We are working with provinces and territories to support the deployment of these services for Canadians, to ensure they all can access the care they need, whenever they need it. This investment will support the development of important virtual health services in Quebec,” said minister Duclos.

Quick facts:

• On May 3, 2020, the Prime Minister announced an investment of $240.5 million to increase access to virtual services and digital tools to support Canadians’ health and well-being.
• $150 million of that funding will be provided to provinces and territories through bilateral agreements aimed to support virtual health services.
• Bilateral agreements on virtual care are a time-limited initiative aimed at ensuring that Canadians can continue to access the healthcare services they need.