(Quebec) The provincial premiers have once again asked the Trudeau government to increase federal health transfers to the provinces and territories.
Updated yesterday at 5:08 p.m.
“We’ve been making the same request for two years without really getting results, in terms of long-term funding. […] It is not a subject that is easy to explain to the population, but it is ultimately the population who must support us, ”said Premier François Legault on Friday, during a joint press briefing by the premiers. on the sidelines of a meeting of the Council of the Federation.
They are asking Ottawa to increase the federal contribution to the provincial health budgets from 22% to 35%. For Ottawa, this would mean annual disbursements of $28 billion to the provinces. For Quebec, this would mean an increase in federal transfers of $6 billion per year.
PHOTO DARRYL DYCK, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Justin Trudeau with British Columbia Premier John Horgan
“Quebecers pay 40% of their taxes in Ottawa, and health is a top priority. It is not acceptable that Ottawa finances only 22% of the budget. But these are numbers, it’s not easy to explain, ”said Mr. Legault.
According to a Léger poll commissioned by the Council of the Federation, nearly 85% of Canadians believe that it is “urgent” for Ottawa to increase its share of health funding.