Feds confirm funding for rare disease research as other questions unanswered

WINNIPEG — The federal government confirmed at a meeting of Canadian health ministers that it is extending a funding deal on rare disease research, while wider questions on health-care funding remain unanswered.

Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel told her provincial and territorial counterparts that the $500 million in annual funding for the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases that was set to expire next year will now be funded on an ongoing basis.

The minister said she also reached an agreement on next steps in talks to deal with other funding issues, including minimum increases for the Canada Health Transfer and the long-term fate of other bilateral agreements.

Michel confirmed late Wednesday that the federal government would extend by one year $1.2 billion in annual funding for mental health, addictions and home care.