Canada’s premiers turn up the heat in new push for more health funding
Global News
Canada’s premiers have launched a new ad campaign aimed at ratcheting up public pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to negotiate more federal health funding to the provinces.
Canada’s premiers are dialing up the political heat in their efforts to get Ottawa to increase federal health transfers to the provinces and territories.
The premiers have launched a new advertising campaign through the Council of the Federation, which comprises all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, aimed at ratcheting up public pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to meet with them and negotiate a higher federal contribution to health-care costs.
“As federal health care disappears, so do our doctors,” one ad says, pointing to the provinces’ stance that federal health funding levels “continue to decline.”
“Provinces and territories are doing their part, but we need the federal government to restore health care funding now to keep our systems strong,” the ad continues.
The campaign, which launched Monday and includes online, print, radio and billboard ads, comes as provinces have been facing their own calls for urgent action on significant pressures within health systems across the country.
An exodus of health-care workers, particularly nurses, from the public system, nationwide shortages of family doctors, ongoing waves of COVID-19 and surges of patients in need of mental health, home or long-term care are all factors that have led to ER closures, health worker burnout and calls to address a “crisis” in health care.
Health care delivery is a provincial responsibility, but the Council of the Federation, made up of Canada’s 13 premiers, is using its new ad campaign to toss the health care hot potato over to Ottawa, saying the long-term sustainability of Canada’s health care systems “cannot be maintained while the federal government’s share of health-care funding continues to decline.”
“To ensure the tests, procedures and other health care services Canadians across the country need — when they need them — they should not have to wait any longer for federal action,” Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said in a statement. Stefanson is currently serving as chair of the Council of the Federation.
Members of Parliament are back in the House of Commons today, where the government is expected to face tough questions about new auditor general reports and the war in Iran.
Two Air Canada pilots are dead after their flight originating from Montreal collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport Sunday night.
With more rain in the forecast, crews continue to deal with a mudslide earlier this week that covered a road in Coquitlam in debris, posing risk to Metro Vancouver's water supply.
A former BC Ferries CEO says the Queen of the North sinking remains ‘disturbing’ 20 years later. The ferry struck an island in Wright Sound on March 22, 2006. Two people died.
The 2026 Kraft Hockeyville top two contestants have been named. The winner receives $250,000 for ice rink upgrades, and the runner-up will receive a prize worth about $100,000.
The Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer scrutinizes federal spending decisions and helps to cost out campaign proposals during elections.
Man’s best friend is proving to be a true lifeline. All across Saskatchewan, service dogs are providing essential, life-changing support every day.
Two days after the first day of spring, parts of Atlantic Canada and Quebec will see another blast of winter with Environment Canada forecasting several centimetres of snow.
UNESCO recognized several Maritime historical groups including the executive director of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre for their work on the Black Loyalist archive.
Aid shipments are beginning to arrive in Cuba and a Russian oil delivery is expected this month, but fuel shortages remain critical.
Tensions flared as CAQ leadership rivals clashed over Quebec’s “third link” project in the first debate to replace Premier François Legault.
Toronto police have charged a 60-year-old man with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Xian Wei Shao, whose remains were discovered in a north end home last week.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the government has found ways to cut spending by $60 billion but cautions that published spending cuts require important context.