Canada’s premiers pushed for the federal government to take on a larger share of healthcare funding during a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday..They called for a meeting in the new year to discuss an increase in spending. .“More than two years have passed since premiers publicly outlined our proposal for a new funding partnership," said Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson.."But unfortunately, despite assurances, we have received no meaningful response from the federal government.".Stefanson said there have been no federal proposals, no substantive meetings, dialogue, or progress. She said Canada needs an urgent first ministers meeting to discuss these issues. .Stefanson, who is chair of the Council of the Federation, said while the Canadian government and provinces began with a 50/50 funding partnership for healthcare, this has declined over the years. The premiers said the Canadian government pays 22% of healthcare costs, so its contributions should rise to 35%.."Now more than ever, Canadians expect their political leaders to get together for necessary and serious discussions to ensure the sustainability of the health care systems that they depend on, across our country," said Stefanson.."All premiers are ready willing and able to sit down for serious discussions as soon as possible to pursue the true partnership that all Canadians urgently deserve.".While Ottawa has said they are ready to increase the Canada Health Transfer, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said there would need to be strings attached. The provinces would have to ensure the money went towards measurable improved health outcomes for Canadians instead of flowing into provincial coffers..“We are prepared to increase federal support for public health care," said LeBlanc.."We recognize the importance to Canadians of an accessible, world-class public health care system.".Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the current healthcare cost-sharing arrangement with the federal government is unsustainable..“At 22% federal funding, 78% provincial funding, I’d just put forward that’s not sustainable moving forward and the health-care cost-sharing, investment-sharing arrangement that was brought forward a number of decades ago was never anticipated to be with this small of the federal share,” said Moe. .Moe added that the Canadian government has agreed to increase the Canada Health Transfer, but the provinces and need to "sit down at the table and have that discussion." .Ontario Premier Doug Ford said for the prime minister, "nothing should be more important" than meeting with the 13 premiers in the new year to discuss healthcare. ."He can't keep running away from sitting down with all the premiers," said Ford.."It's just not cutting it." .Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the Canadian government has the fiscal capacity to increase healthcare funding for the provinces, as they collect 40% of revenue from taxpayers.."And in our provinces, when we can't keep up with that pressure of growth in the particular area, even if we do, it ends up cannibalizing the amount that we're able to spend on all of the other important services that we provide to people," said Smith.."So I think I would just echo what the premiers are saying is that we do need to go back to the original intention that we're equal funding partners."
