Side deals on health funding may be reached alongside national agreement: B.C. premier
Global News
Premiers are expressing optimism that an overall deal will be reached at next week's meeting with Prime MInister Justin Trudeau, with room to also address specific priorities.
Premiers have expressed optimism about striking an improved national health funding deal with the federal government, ahead of next week’s meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said in Ottawa Wednesday that he believed the federal government would present the provinces and territories with details of a health transfer agreement that could lead to a national deal, but he was open to side talks specific to B.C.
These could include discussions about mental health and addictions treatment programs, increasing the numbers of family doctors and expanding home care.
“We’ll be talking about core funding for the provinces, but with the ability for provinces to have discussions with the federal government about key areas of provincial priority,” he said at a news conference in the capital.
“I am convinced that B.C.’s priorities are not necessarily the same as Quebec’s or Nova Scotia’s or Newfoundland’s.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also said Wednesday he was hopeful the provinces could reach a health-care deal with the federal government after next Tuesday’s meeting with the prime minister.
Last month, Ford said the provinces wouldn’t be signing individual deals with the federal government.
Premiers and health ministers across the country have called on Ottawa to increase its share of health-care costs to 35 per cent, up from the current 22 per cent.