OTTAWA-
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says he and his provincial counterparts privately agree on what needs to be done to improve health care, but the ball is in the Premiers’ court to accept an agreement for more funding from Ottawa.
Talks between federal and provincial politicians have stalled amid overwhelmed children’s hospitals and burnout of health care workers that has thrown the Canadian system into crisis.
Provinces and territories have demanded an increase to the Canada Health Transfer, which is the main source of federal funds that feed provincial health systems, but the prime minister says that will only happen if the provinces agree to reform and improve these systems.
Duclos met with provincial and territorial health ministers last month, where he says they reached consensus on what needs to be done, but the premiers refused to sign off.
Premiers say they can’t agree on a deal until they meet as a group with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who won’t commit to such a meeting.
Duclos says he is sure the health ministers can reach an agreement if the premiers allow it.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on December 14, 2022.
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