Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says simply giving in to the provinces’ demands on health-care funding won’t guarantee improvements to Canada’s strained health system.
Ottawa and the provinces agree that the country’s health system is facing a crisis. But when health ministers met in Vancouver last month to hammer out a deal to improve health care, a disagreement over funding prevented any progress.
The provinces have been calling on the federal government to boost its share of health-care funding. But Ottawa insists it won’t offer up any cash until the provinces agree to meet certain conditions — such as increasing access to family health services.
In a year-end interview with CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says any increase in federal health-care funding to the provinces has to come with strings attached to ensure the additional dollars go toward measurable, improved outcomes for Canadians.
“If I were to send people all the money they need in the provinces, there is no guarantee that … folks would be waiting less time in the hospitals,” Trudeau said. “There is no point putting more money into a broken system.”
The full interview will air on CBC television on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
The impasse comes as many health-care facilities, particularly children’s hospitals, struggle with a shortage of staff and overwhelming demand due to a combination of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory infections.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault said he is more confident after meeting the prime minister Tuesday that the premiers and the federal government can arrive at a health care deal for long-term increased funding.
“I really sensed there was a desire there to move forward on that issue,” Legault said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
Earlier this month, Canada’s premiers presented a united front and reiterated their demand that Trudeau sit down with them personally to hammer out an agreement on health-care costs.
