Trudeau offers nothing as premiers demand more health funding

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British Columbia’s NDP Premier went on CBC over the Easter weekend to say Canada’s premiers would like well being care be funded correctly earlier than new social packages are began.

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It’s a stable argument that premiers have been making to the Trudeau authorities for years, however it’s fallen on deaf ears.

Now within the wake of the federal NDP-Liberal coalition deal, we’re seeing cash being put ahead for a nationwide dental plan whereas premiers nonetheless watch for the secure well being funding Trudeau promised seven years in the past.

“Wouldn’t it be grand to have a nationwide dental care plan? Completely,” Horgan advised CBC

“However I believe we have to begin with first rules, and that’s secure funding in order that we are able to do the hip alternative, so we are able to have a human useful resource technique for our major care sector.”

When the federal authorities pushed the provinces to signal onto a nationwide medical insurance plan within the Nineteen Sixties, it promised to be 50-50 companions with the provinces. That funding system didn’t final lengthy and proper now, the federal authorities solely gives about 22% of provincial well being funding.

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For the final a number of years, the premiers, by the Council of the Federation, have been calling for a rise in federal funding to cowl not less than 35% of the prices.

“Elevated, predictable, and sustainable federal well being funding would make an actual distinction in folks’s lives. Sadly, the federal price range did not ship on this precedence,” the premiers mentioned in a press release following the federal price range two weeks in the past.

Contemplating that this isn’t a bunch of individuals politically against Justin Trudeau and his authorities, these premiers characterize each province and territory and each political viewpoint within the nation, together with Trudeau’s personal Liberal Social gathering. Nevertheless, they’re united in calling for this enhance in well being funding.

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Since 2019, the premiers have been calling for a 5.2% annual enhance within the Canada Well being Switch till it reaches that 35% mark.

Premiers have mentioned they’re joyful to work collectively, and with the federal authorities on pharmacare or dental care, however they need primary well being care funded correctly first.

It’s onerous in charge them.

The feds have promised to fund the brand new youngster care program at 50% whereas additionally beginning a dental program and a prescription drug program. On the similar time, Ottawa says it could’t give provinces the cash to clear backlogs of surgical procedure and finish hallway well being care.

When pressed on secure, long-term funding for well being care — one thing Trudeau promised earlier than he was elected to energy in 2015 — the prime minister famous his authorities’s pandemic funding. Whereas welcomed, that isn’t one thing that offers with ongoing funding points.

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“There will likely be extra money for well being care,” Trudeau mentioned final week in Victoria. “We simply must, all of us, work collectively to make sure that it really delivers outcomes for Canadians.”

It’s a far cry from what Trudeau promised earlier than turning into prime minister when he would rail towards Stephen Harper and the Conservatives failing the system.

“We are going to negotiate a brand new Well being Accord with provinces and territories, together with a
long-term settlement on funding,” the Liberal platform acknowledged in 2015.

Since then, it’s been guarantees, lectures, and decrees, however no negotiations in the direction of a brand new well being accord or secure funding will increase. Funds 2022 doesn’t even present a touch of that new health-care funding — that tells you the place Trudeau’s priorities lay.

As soon as once more, Trudeau has promised Canadians and their premiers the world after which left the desk earlier than the cheque was delivered.