Saskatchewan, federal government reach health-care funding deal in principle

The Saskatchewan government and the federal government have reached an agreement in principle on health-care funding.

Canada's premiers met last month in Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss a deal, and while Ottawa's plan fell short of what the premiers had asked for, an overall agreement was reached. Since the announcement, the federal and provincial governments have held bilateral meetings to finalize individual funding agreements to target those specific areas in each province.

On Wednesday, the federal government announced Saskatchewan will receive a one-time total of $61 million and an additional $111 million annually over 10 years.

The provincial government says the money will be used to "accelerate or enhance" access to primary health-care, surgeries, and mental health and addiction services.

The federal government will invest $5.94 billion over 10 years in Saskatchewan, including $1.11 billion in the new bilateral agreement.

Health Canada said the $61-million immediate investment will "address urgent needs, especially in pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms, and long wait times for surgeries."

Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman said the agreement "is a positive step that will accelerate and enhance work already underway."

"Saskatchewan continues to make record investments into the health-care system to address key priorities such as reducing surgical backlogs and wait times, and expanding access to mental health services."

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the agreement will "improve the experience of health workers and those they care for."

"It will modernize our health-care system, improve access to family health services and mental health services, reduce surgical backlogs and support health workers. Better quality of care means helping residents of Saskatchewan and Canadians live longer, healthier lives."

On Feb. 13, before the premiers agreed with the federal government's funding plan, Premier Scott Moe said Saskatchewan would not turn down the additional money.

"It is a two per cent lift and I don't think anybody — at least Saskatchewan — is considering walking away from any increase in health-care space," he said. "It is all needed."   

Moe and his counterparts had sought an increase in the federal government's share of the Canada Health Transfer, rising to 35 per cent from 22 per cent, or an additional $28 billion annually.

Merriman said Wednesday the federal government should be increasing its share.