For the first time in centuries, the federal government says it is ready to increase healthcare transfers to the provinces, news greeted with optimism and skepticism by Christian Dubé, Quebec’s health minister.
Because without revealing how much he would be ready to put on the table, as requested by the provinces, Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has made it known that he will go ahead on one condition.
“We will do this if the provinces and territories are willing to commit to significantly expand the use and sharing of common key health indicators and create a world-class health data system for Canada,” detailed Mr. Duclos in a written statement Monday afternoon.
“This further cooperation will help us better plan investments in our workforce, ensure Canadians can access their medical records and help improve the quality and access to healthcare,” he said.
The government has also assured that it is willing to “invest in a second line of financing through ad hoc agreements with the provinces and territories”.
“This type of targeted investment will enable provinces and territories to address priority areas that we all share, such as support for health professionals, access to family practice teams and access to mental health care,” he said.
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Quebec, like all provinces, wants Ottawa to increase its financial contribution to health from 22% to 35%.
No conditions for Quebec
In Vancouver for a meeting with his counterparts, Minister Dubé said that the opening shown by Ottawa after a year of closing the file was “good news”.
However, he clarified that no agreement is “not acceptable” if a condition is attached to it.
“[…] Quebec is accountable to the citizens of Quebec and the National Assembly. It is not accountable to the federal government because it is under provincial jurisdiction and what I am saying is that it is very good news that there are additional funds, but this must or unconditionally, “the CAQ minister delivered at a press conference.
“If the federal government wants the statistics, we have a dashboard at their disposal,” he said.
Quebec, like all provinces, wants Ottawa to increase its financial contribution to health from 22% to 35%. Exasperated, at the end of October they launched a campaign to increase pressure on Ottawa.
A second day of meetings is scheduled for Tuesday in Vancouver. The government would like to reach common ground, as a press conference with Mr. Duclos and his counterparts is scheduled for mid-afternoon.
