It is “very insulting” that the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, “refuses to meet with his vis-à-vis” the provinces and in addition transmits messages through the media, summed up Tuesday the Prime Minister of Quebec , François Legault, during the closing conference of the Council of the Federation.
“It’s a bit insulting to delegate messages via Mr. Duclos, the federal health minister,” he said. First, how is it that there is a federal Minister of Health when this is an area of jurisdiction of the provinces and territories? »
It has been three years and “36 telephone meetings” with Mr. Trudeau that the premiers of the provinces and territories have been asking to sit down with him to discuss an increase in health transfers on a recurring and unconditional basis.
“We are no longer able to continue to pay 78% [de la facture], added Mr. Legault. It seems to me that the message is clear. »
There has been unprecedented cooperation with the federal government during the pandemic, said British Columbia Premier John Horgan, who is chairing the meeting. “And now, eight months later, we communicate through the media. Where did the love go? It was going so well. It’s vexing,” he said apologetically as the curtain fell on a second and final day of talks, which have been dominated by the nationwide health care crisis.
The attitude of Justin Trudeau’s government is “rather dishonest,” added Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The premier of Prince Edward Island, Dennis King, meanwhile called for “putting aside this nonsense”.
Again on Tuesday, despite repeated calls from the provinces, the federal Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, still did not propose a date for the holding of negotiations with the provinces on an increase in health transfers.
In a public affairs program, the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, said Tuesday that there will “of course” be conditions “attached” to an increase in health funding.
He also hinted that, unconditionally, provincial governments could use federal funds to cut spending, lower taxes or hand out “$500 checks,” a direct reference to a recent Quebec decision.
In response, Mr. Legault pointed out that the $500 credit that his government has decided to grant to adults with an income of $100,000 or less is non-recurring and that “Quebecers pay more taxes” than in other countries. provinces in general.
While refusing conditions, the provinces assure that the funds would be spent on health. Alberta would be “absolutely” ready to offer a guarantee not to reduce its health spending in exchange for funding “if it is a federal condition”, has also argued Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.
“You have to present the conditions in the context of the negotiations, not through a debate in the media,” he added. Canadians do not want political chicanery. […] At least, [que Justin Trudeau vienne] sit down with the premiers, discuss this idea. »
Mr. Legault noted that “it is clear” that the provinces must spend more and more on health. “There is an aging population that causes spending growth to outpace income growth,” he said.
“It’s their job”
In front of the hotel where the meeting is being held, demonstrators demanded better access to family doctors and showed little interest in how the premiers and the federal government would solve their problem.
“We want doctors,” said Jill Munn in an interview with The Canadian Press. This is unacceptable. Find out how to make it happen, whether it’s the federal government or the provincial government, however they come to an agreement. […] It’s their job, not mine. »
Alongside her, another protester, Doris McLennan, said she did not believe that the provinces would get more from the federal government and maintained that they would have to improve their management of public funds in order to correct the situation.
In a statement, the Canadian Public Health Coalition, an advocacy group, said it was disappointed with the lack of progress at the meeting. According to the Coalition, Ottawa must invest more and Premiers must ensure greater accountability and transparency with regard to the funds spent on health care.
In the opinion of the Bloc Québécois, Ottawa is trying to “shirk its responsibilities” and interfere in areas of provincial jurisdiction. It’s “a cheek without a name,” wrote the Bloc’s spokesperson for intergovernmental affairs, Mario Simard, in a press release.
The New Democratic Party (NDP), for its part, demanded that the Trudeau government “immediately implement an action plan aimed at resolving the crisis in the Canadian health care system”. According to the NDP, Mr. Trudeau lacks leadership by refusing to sit down with the prime ministers.