Canada’s Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, is pleased with the responsibilities Blaine Higgs has taken on in health care, where he thinks change is needed. He is also prepared to increase federal transfers in this area.
“I am very happy that the government of New Brunswick has decided to take on important responsibilities which, I hope, will improve the situation,” reacted Dominic LeBlanc about the province’s health system.
Canada’s Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs referred to the replacement of Dorothy Shephard by Bruce Fitch as Minister of Health, the dismissal of the CEO of Horizon Health Network and the trusteeship of the two health networks.
“I think Premier Blaine Higgs has demonstrated the will to force change on a system that needs it. I don’t know how the provincial government will proceed. But the simple fact that he decided to take charge of the situation is positive for me,” commented Mr. LeBlanc after an announcement of infrastructure projects in Saint-Antoine.
Provincial accountability
The elected representative of the riding of Beauséjour has also shown himself ready to increase transfers to the provinces in health.
“However, we want accountability for outcomes for patients and for people who work in the healthcare system. In the past, we have invested billions and billions of dollars and we have not seen the improvements that the provinces had promised us,” qualified Mr. LeBlanc.
The Liberal mentioned the New Brunswick government’s budget surpluses.
“I don’t want to increase health transfers to further increase their surpluses, insisted Mr. LeBlanc. I think they should immediately look at investing this surplus in health care and we will be there as partners to accompany them.
The federal minister indicated that his government was discussing with the provinces to develop accountability in exchange for additional health funding.
“Primary care appears to be a significant challenge largely due to a shortage of professionals. So a plan to improve access to these professionals will be very important to us,” said Mr. LeBlanc.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs understands Ottawa’s refusal to give funds unconditionally, unlike Quebec.
“I just want to be able to do what we need to do with the money and be clear about how we’re going to use it,” he said July 7. Surgeries are definitely part of that. Access to primary care and clinics too, etc. And I’m ready to identify all the points, not to say, ‘give me the money and let me mind my own business.’”
Mr. Higgs, on the other hand, refuses to have the federal government dictate to him the needs of New Brunswick.
The provinces are calling for a recurring and unconditional increase in federal health transfers, to increase them from 22% to 35% of the costs of their health care system. This increase was absent from the last federal budget, which the New Brunswick premier called shocking.
Ottawa disputed provincial statistics, saying it contributed 40% of public health spending in 2021 – 2022, according to the Canadian Press. These figures take into account a tax transfer and expenses related to COVID-19.
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