(Winnipeg) Canada’s premiers reiterated their call for more federal support for health care, while acknowledging that provinces can learn from each other in areas such as worker retention.
On the second day of the Council of the Federation annual meeting, premiers discussed the $46 billion in new health care funding that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proposed in February, in exchange for the commitment of the provinces and territories to implement targeted reforms. With the exception of Quebec, all provinces accepted the funding offer.
Heather Stefanson, premier of Manitoba and host of the meeting, said the additional funds were welcome, but only made up about 2% of provincial health budgets.
Premiers have requested assistance in related areas.
The federal government should streamline the process of recruiting healthcare workers overseas, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said.
“The federal government is primarily responsible for immigration and bringing people into the country, which is why it plays a crucial role in this area,” she said.
“We were all able to negotiate agreements that allowed us to bring in new professionals. We have a memorandum of understanding with the Philippines, for example. »
Mme Smith added that Ottawa could also help ensure healthcare professionals can move smoothly from province to province.
British Columbia Premier David Eby echoed those sentiments.
“How do we use the immigration system to support the health care that British Columbians need?” How to use the federal government’s national authority to set standards for the mobility of health workers? »
Premiers also met with representatives of health professionals, who said provinces can take action on their own.
The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions has made several recommendations to Premiers to boost health care. The federation, which represents unions in all provinces except Quebec, recommends, among other things, minimum nurse-patient ratios and the establishment of limits on safe hours of continuous work.
Mme Stefanson said the premiers had had a “great discussion” with members of the nurses’ union.
She added that the premiers plan to meet again later in the year for a health care summit to share best practices and discuss how provinces can work together on recruitment, retention and training of workers.
“I think we’ve made significant progress, frankly, but I also think we’re listening, we’re learning,” Ms.me Stefanson. We are not afraid to have these conversations. That’s why we’re all here, across the country, listening to nurses…to find out how we can make things better. »
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has indicated his government wants to work with Ottawa to bring in workers from different fields.
“We desperately need staff across the province. I think all prime ministers have said that,” he added.
Health is not the only topic discussed at the three-day conference, which ends on Wednesday.
Mme Stefanson pointed out that the premiers also called on the federal government to take “urgent action” to reform the bail system, in response to concerns over crime.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer to be better protected against random violence caused by repeat and dangerous offenders and to better target criminals who use guns and other weapons,” he said. she stated.
Ottawa introduced a bill to reform the bail system. It plans to reverse the burden of proof for repeat violent offenders and those accused of possessing weapons. It would be up to these defendants to show the court why they should be out on bail, rather than the Crown showing why they shouldn’t.
The premiers also discussed issues of affordability, housing shortages and strengthening the workforce, Ms.me Stefanson.
With information from Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press, in Regina