(Ottawa) Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos will ask the provinces on Wednesday whether or not they intend to accept the new health care funding agreement tabled by Justin Trudeau.
Mr. Duclos and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Carolyn Bennett, must write to the provincial ministers of health to seek clarification on their positions.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with his provincial counterparts in Ottawa on Tuesday where he presented an offer that would see transfers to the provinces increase by $196, including $46.2 billion in new funding, over the next 10 years.
The proposal falls far short of the provinces’ demand that the federal government assume a much larger share of health care spending.
Still, most prime ministers have indicated they were disappointed but would probably take the offer because they can’t say no to new money.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said the premiers will meet again to discuss the deal in the coming days.