(Ottawa) Pressed by questions in parliamentary committee, the federal Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, did not want to commit on Tuesday on the issue of health transfers while the hospital network is hard hit by the Omicron wave .
Posted at 3:01 p.m.
“The provinces and Quebec need predictability,” argued Bloc Québécois MP Luc Thériault, spokesperson for health. “Is it going to take a seventh wave? »
The minister countered that the government has provided $63 billion “in cash or in kind” to help the provinces deal with the pandemic. This amount is in addition to the $43 billion from the Canada Health Transfer, the $11 billion allocated for mental health and the promised $25 billion.
He would not say whether more funds would be allocated in the next federal budget.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has already indicated that negotiations for increased health transfers will take place after the pandemic. This increase will not be unconditional. During the election campaign, Mr. Trudeau promised to improve care for seniors by signing agreements with the provinces, as he has already done for his national child care program.
The provinces want an immediate increase in health transfers to increase the federal government’s contribution from 22% to 35%. In Quebec, this increase would represent an additional $6 billion annually.