Health transfer money to be in spotlight as Moe hosts Western premiers in Regina Friday
Canada’s Western premiers are assembly in Regina on Friday and federal well being transfers are anticipated to be the highest merchandise on the checklist.
The assembly of provincial and territorial leaders from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Yukon was digital in 2021.
As host, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will chair the assembly. A spokesperson for the premier mentioned the “Canada Well being Switch (CHT) funding negotiations and subsequent steps” leads the agenda.
Canada’s premiers met nearly in February and one theme emerged. Coming via the pandemic the provinces are all searching for extra well being switch funds from the federal authorities.
“Provinces and territories are on the frontlines of well being care, and premiers perceive the challenges dealing with our techniques, together with shortages of health-care professionals, surgical backlogs, wait occasions and hospitals which might be at capability,” mentioned B.C. Premier John Horgan in February.
“A brand new imaginative and prescient for well being care, supported by a big, long-term enhance in federal funding, is required to make sure we emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepared to reply to the wants of our residents.”
The premiers are asking the federal authorities to extend its share of prices via the Canada Well being Switch to 35 per cent from 22 per cent.
The request has been a few years within the making. On the 2021 digital premiers’ convention, the group known as for the 13 per cent enhance within the switch share. The rise would quantity to $28 billion in new annual cash.
Following the 2021 assembly, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned, “we shall be there to extend these transfers. However that dialog must occur as soon as we’re via this pandemic.”
When requested in regards to the well being transfers in April, Trudeau mentioned the provinces would see “extra money from the federal authorities” and pointed to $2 billion handed out in March to alleviate surgical backlogs.
“We have seen prior to now that simply extra money into well being care, even from the federal governments, would not essentially result in the best outcomes or higher outcomes for Canadians,” Trudeau mentioned.
Just a few days later Premier Scott Moe mentioned the present state of the switch was “placing well being care Canadians deserve in danger.”
“It is previous time the Prime Minister took severe motion to handle the unanimous concern of Canada’s premiers and work towards growing the federal authorities’s share of the CHT to 35 per cent,” Moe tweeted.
All premiers are united of their name for a direct long-term dedication by the federal authorities to extend the CHT from 22% to 35%, making certain the sustainability of Canada’s well being care techniques.<br><br>[2/2]
—@PremierScottMoe
Trudeau was in Saskatoon on Wednesday the place he introduced $32 million from the federal authorities to enhance long-term look after seniors in Saskatchewan.
In line with a Saskatchewan authorities spokesperson, the opposite points that shall be mentioned on the premiers’ assembly embody the economic system and labour market, provide chains, commerce and infrastructure, vitality safety and sustainable improvement.
