Premiers ‘expect’ feds to up share of health-care costs to 35% as Trudeau meeting nears

Canada’s 13 premiers say they “expect” a commitment from Ottawa to increase health funding to 35 per cent as part of their meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau next week.

Canada’s 13 premiers say they “expect” to get a commitment from Ottawa to increase its share of health-care funding to 35 per cent, setting the stage for a possibly contentious first ministers’ meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau next week.

The premiers released a joint statement Monday, saying they welcome the Feb. 7 meeting, which was announced by Trudeau last week.

But they made it clear they want the outcome of these talks to be an increase to the Canada Health Transfer that would amount to about $28 billion from the current $45.2 billion.

“Provinces and territories are making substantial investments and taking action to innovate and improve health-care systems based on the unique needs and circumstances of their respective jurisdictions and residents,” the statement says.

“They expect the federal government to play a critical role in supporting real and lasting health care improvements for Canadians by increasing the federal share of funding through the Canada Health Transfer from 22 per cent to 35 per cent and by maintaining this level over time.”

Last week, Trudeau said he “won’t be signing any deals” with the premiers during the Feb. 7 meeting, but rather will be focusing on how to improve outcomes for patients.

Trudeau has said he will increase health-care funding to the provinces and territories amid what front-line workers are calling a “crisis” of understaffing and wait times, but so far, has not committed to any dollar figures or percentages.

While the discussions next week will include efforts to reach long-term funding arrangements, Trudeau said he wants the main focus to be on tangible ways to improve key areas of health care in which Canadians have been struggling to access timely care.