Premiers asking for more federal health care money: Stefanson
As hospitals deal with staff shortages and an influx of patients with respiratory illnesses, Canada's Premiers are pleading for a larger chunk of the federal funding pie for health care.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson hosted a virtual meeting in Winnipeg on Friday with her counterparts from the other provinces. They say they need billions of dollars more per year for health care, and want a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as soon as possible.
Surgical backlogs, addictions and mental health issues, and staff shortages are overwhelming the health care system.
"Canadians shouldn't have to wait any longer for necessary action," said Stefanson. "Unfortunately, despite assurances we have received no meaningful response from the federal government."
The Premiers claim that Ottawa is only covering 22 per cent of annual health care costs, with provinces picking up the remaining 78 per cent of the tab.
They want the federal government to cover 35 per cent of costs, which works out to an additional 28 billion dollars per year.
"That's the question that ultimately needs an answer and it needs and answer very quickly," said Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan.
So far, there has been no commitment from the federal government, though Ottawa says it has increased health spending.
And it appears that tying money to specific areas and benchmarks is a sticking point.
Canada's Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said he won't cut an unconditional cheque, and that they need to agree on outcomes before any meeting.
"Let's speak about the ends, what we want to do, and then assess the dollars needed from everyone, including the federal government to achieve those results," said Duclos.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said they need more than one time funding deals, and no strings attached.
"We need the flexibility to transfer from maybe one area to the other," said Ford. "All provinces aren't equal when it comes to what they need in health care."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'