(Vancouver) The federal government has pulled out of a joint statement with provincial and territorial health ministers, ending much-anticipated meetings in Vancouver without any agreement to increase health care funding.
Posted at 6:36 p.m.
Updated at 6:55 p.m.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix, who called the end of the meetings “disappointing,” said provincial and territorial ministers were united behind a call for federal funding to be increased from 22% to 35%. % of their health expenditure.
A statement from the Council of the Federation, which brings together the premiers of the 13 provinces and territories, said on Tuesday that the premiers of the provinces and territories “reiterate their urgent call” to achieve a lasting agreement with the federal government for the funding of health care. health through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT).
At a press conference in Vancouver on Tuesday evening, Mr. Dix expressed his disappointment that the federal government did not present any details on the amount of money.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé also participated in Tuesday’s federal-provincial-territorial conference. He told reporters that was not the outcome he and his counterparts expected.
However, Mr. Dubé stressed that even if he was waiting for federal money to improve the health care system, he would not wait to make the necessary investments. He reiterated that the federal money must be paid out unconditionally.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Monday that provinces and territories must agree to use common health indicators and create a “world-class” health data system for the country.
The upgrade has been unanimously called for by the premiers of the provinces and territories for more than two years.