Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau denies ignoring the demands of Quebec and the Canadian provinces, which demand a substantial increase in health transfers of $28 billion annually.
• Read also: Legault attacks Trudeau and Duclos on health
• Read also: War of figures to end between the provinces and Ottawa in health
• Read also: Council of the Federation: Provinces hungry for health transfers
“I don’t think there’s a prime minister in history who has sat down with prime ministers to talk about health care as much as I have in the past two years,” Justin Trudeau said. press in Kingston, Ontario.
The federal government and the provinces are waging a war of numbers and words over the money that Ottawa transfers each year to finance health care.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault said he was insulted that Justin Trudeau delegated ministers to meet his demands after leaving the Council of the Federation earlier this week.
Recurring money
Mr. Trudeau argued that the federal government offered “$72 billion” in one-time aid during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the provinces fund health care.
However, in his opinion, money is not the only solution to solve this problem.
The Prime Minister of Canada wants the “invested dollars to show results” to reduce waiting lists, improve access to family doctors and mental health care.
The provinces, however, reject the idea that Ottawa imposes its financing conditions.
Their desire is to see the federal government increase health transfers by $28 billion on a recurring and unconditional basis.
Everything indicates that Ottawa wants to have a say in the organization of healthcare priorities within the provinces.
Justin Trudeau had promised to open the door to discussion on health transfers once the pandemic is over.
But so far, the provinces remain on their appetite.
“We will continue to work together because there are real pressures on health care systems,” he offered.
Controversial turbines
Another thorny subject, Prime Minister Trudeau justified, on Wednesday, the circumvention of Russian sanctions in order to allow the return to Germany of the turbines of a Russian gas pipeline.
“It was a difficult decision, but we must remember that the sanctions we have put forward are there to punish Putin and his friends, and not to punish our allies and the populations of Europe,” said explained Mr. Trudeau.
The turbines in question were blocked in Montreal due to sanctions after being repaired in Canada.
The return to Germany of the turbines has been sharply criticized by Ukraine and the opposition in Ottawa.
This country and others in Europe are deeply dependent on Russian gas.
The owner of the gas pipeline, the Russian company Gazprom, provides 30% of Germany’s natural gas needs.
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