Premiers Say No Progress Made on Federal Funding for Health Care

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on Jan. 19, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

The country’s premiers say they have made no progress with the federal government to ensure a sustainable health care funding plan. They are seeking slightly more than a one-third contribution to health investment through federal transfer payments.

The Council of the Federation, which includes all of Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers, said in a Nov. 8 news release that the group is “disappointed with the lack of a federal response on the critical issue of sustainable health funding.”

The premiers are asking the federal government to “increase the CHT [Canada Health Transfer] so that its share of provincial and territorial health care costs rises from 22 percent to 35 percent, and to maintain this level over time.”

The premiers say that health services have “been under heavy strain” throughout COVID-19. “Substantive resources are required to support and accelerate this essential work, and provinces and territories need a predictable federal funding partner. “

‘Broken System’

Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal health minister, was in Vancouver for two days of meetings with provincial health ministers. At a news conference, he said the federal government was ready to increase health care investment through the Canada Health Transfer, but there are conditions.

“We would do this if provinces and territories are prepared to commit to a meaningful expansion of the sharing and use of common key health indicators and to therefore build a world class health data system,” said Duclos.

This expectation was repeated in a Nov. 7 statement issued by Duclos.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at a news conference on Nov. 7 in Montreal, said, “As the president of the Canadian Medical Association said this summer, there’s no point just putting more money into a broken system. We need to improve the results delivered for Canadians.”

The prime minister added, “We need to make sure that people can have access to a family doctor, that they have access to mental health services as we’re all dealing with challenges left over by the pandemic that go beyond physical health.”

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, chair of the Council of the Federation, said Trudeau must meet with the premiers “to ensure provinces and territories have the resources and flexibility they need to make significant improvements in health care services and to deliver the care that Canadians deserve.”

“For over two years Premiers have been asking the Prime Minister to discuss their number one priority and the number one priority of Canadians in all provinces and territories—health care. Despite repeated invitations and efforts by Premiers to engage with the Prime Minister, he has not engaged in a meaningful dialogue with Premiers on a renewed health care funding partnership,” said the Council’s news release.

“Canadians should be able to receive high quality, health services now and for the future. It is time for the Prime Minister to honour his commitment and come to the table,” Stefanson said.