Ottawa Outlines Conditions for Increasing Provincial Health-Care Funding

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos rises during question period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 31, 2022. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

The federal government has outlined its conditions for increasing health-care funding to the provinces, although it is still unclear how much extra spending Ottawa is prepared to commit.

“In the spirit of collaborative leadership, I’m glad to confirm that the Canadian government is ready to increase healthcare investments through the Canada Health Transfer,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos in a statement on Nov. 7.

“We would do this if provinces and territories (PT) are prepared to commit to a meaningful expansion in the sharing and use of common key health indicators and to build a world-class health data system for Canada.”

Duclos noted that health workers across the country are “experiencing significant strain” and it’s up to all levels of government to “come together and find immediate and longer-term solutions to address these challenges.”

At a press conference in Laval, Que., on Nov. 7, a reporter asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau why he has not yet increased provincial health-care funding.

“Hospitals and the health-care system are crumbling under the weight of the last two years, and doctors and nurses are begging for help. So what exactly are you waiting for?” the reporter said.

Trudeau said he has “been engaged in conversations with health ministers” and has “spoken directly with premiers across the country,” but noted that “there’s no point just putting more money into a broken system.”

“We need to make sure that people can have access to a family doctor, that they have access to mental health services,” he said.

“We will be there with more money, but we need to make sure that more investments in health care ends up supporting folks on the front lines, the nurses and doctors delivering that health care to Canadians.”

Negotiations

Provincial health ministers met on Nov. 7  in Vancouver to discuss their health-care spending proposals for the federal government.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said the provinces are looking for Ottawa to raise health-care funding to 35 percent—a significant increase compared to the current 22 percent—and to maintain the higher funding rate going forward.

Dix also said the provincial ministers want Ottawa to have a “united and common approach” in their negotiations with Duclos.

“I prefer to take a positive view of the remarks by both the prime minister and the federal health minister, but also to say that the provinces are united in our response and also united in the dramatic expenditures that we are making right now to address the current and future health human resources in the country,” he said during a press conference on Nov. 7.

The health ministers will meet with Duclos in Vancouver today.

“We hope that such an announcement [by the federal government] and any discussions we have tomorrow lead to what we have been wanting and expecting for months,” Dix said.

“We’re delivering resources to the front lines, and I hope the federal government is going to support us in delivering even more.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.