Premiers push for more unconditional health-care funding from feds
Canada's premiers are demanding a meeting with the newly re-elected prime minister to ask for more money -- no strings attached -- to pump into their health-care systems.
The provincial and territorial leaders held a teleconference Thursday to discuss what they need from the federal government and agreed health care is their top priority.
The premiers have asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hold a first ministers' meeting before the next speech from the throne, where they plan to demand an increase in long-term, unconditional health funding.
Speaking at an afternoon news conference, B.C. Premier John Horgan said he and his counterparts spoke about tactics to push Trudeau to provide them more funding, something the prime minister has repeatedly put off.
Horgan said the prime minister promised a meeting about health-care funding prior to the election, and now that the election was over, premiers wanted the sit-down to happen.
He added that even some premiers who are new to their jobs maintain the resolve of their predecessors to pry more money out of the federal government.
"We need long-term sustainable, predictable funding, not for ourselves as governments, but for the people that we represent. Health care is fundamental to who we are as a society," said Horgan, who chairs the Council of the Federation.
"Publicly funded health care has been the difference between us and our southern neighbours, and we need a federal government that is fully engaged and that's a unanimous position across the country."
This year's federal budget, released in April, forecast $43.1 billion in health-care transfers to provinces, a drop from the $45.9 billion last fiscal year after extra cash flowed to bolster systems besieged by COVID-19 cases.
The premiers have asked the federal government to immediately grow its share of health-care costs from 22 to 35 per cent -- an increase of about $28 billion more this year.
They're also asking for minimum funding increases of five per cent annually, arguing the current plan of three per cent jumps in spending means transfers don't keep pace with yearly cost increases.
Horgan called the gap in health-care funding an "urgent, pressing need," and that he's already shared the concerns with the leaders of the Conservatives and NDP on Thursday.
Trudeau said in August he would not discuss permanent changes to federal health care transfers until the pandemic has passed.
As part of his re-election campaign he promised billions in health-care spending, but his promises come with conditions including the hiring of new nurses and doctors and improvements to virtual care.
He pledged $6 billion to clear surgery backlogs and health care wait-lists and another $3.2 billion to support primary care.
The Liberals also pitched a new health transfer specifically aimed at mental health, with $4.5 billion over five years to start.
Several premiers balked at the idea of meeting new federal conditions arguing that as health care is provincial jurisdiction, they are best suited to direct funds where they are needed.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2021.
-- With files from Jordan Press in Ottawa
IN DEPTH
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
No showers, baths or washing dishes: Calgary under water advisory
The city of Calgary is under a mandatory water advisory where officials are telling all residents and businesses to strictly limit their water usage following a major water main break on Wednesday.
Canadians mark 80th anniversary of D-Day as sun shines on Juno Beach in Normandy
The sun was shining on the beaches of Normandy Thursday morning as a Canadian ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day got underway in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France.
How much will it cost Oilers fans to fly to Florida to see the Stanley Cup Final?
If an Oilers fan in Edmonton has the spare time, they can not only potentially witness their hockey heroes win and take a step closer to claiming puck glory, they can brag that they journeyed the longest distance between two NHL markets to do it.
Ontario woman forced to pay $23,000 hospital bill despite having travel insurance
An Ontario woman who took a trip to the Cayman Islands in January was hospitalized after a heart attack and even though she had travel medical insurance, she was told she needed to pay the hospital bill herself.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Pierre Poilievre proves to be a quick study when it comes to damage control
It was Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s birthday on Monday, but he could've probably done without the package that one of his more obscure backbenchers dropped on his doorstep, writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his latest column for CTVNews.ca.
As the world marks 80th anniversary of D-Day landings, renewed war in Europe is on minds of many
eaders, veterans and visitors from around the world paid tribute Thursday to the D-Day generation in moving ceremonies on and around the Normandy beaches where the Allies landed exactly 80 years ago, with the war in Ukraine on the minds of many and a common message that tyranny cannot be permitted to prevail.
Suspect in Long Island’s Gilgo Beach serial killings is charged in the deaths of two more women
The New York architect previously accused of murdering four women and leaving their corpses scattered along a coastal highway was charged Thursday in the deaths of two more women.
Jurors in Hunter Biden's trial hear from the clerk who sold him the gun at the centre of the case
Gordon Cleveland, the former clerk at StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply, on Wednesday told jurors he walked Hunter Biden through a few options before he settled on the US$900 gun and he watched Biden sign the form, which includes a warning about the consequences of submitting false information.
B.C. bookkeeper gets 6 years in prison for defrauding over $1M from employer
The former bookkeeper for a Kelowna, B.C.-based company has been handed a six-year prison sentence for defrauding more than $1 million from her employer.
Local Spotlight
'The fresh air': Supercentenarian shares secret on 107th birthday
Marking a milestone, Lakeshore resident Olga White celebrated her 107th birthday in style Wednesday.
'What a deal': Zamboni among items available at municipal surplus sale in New Brunswick
The municipality of Tantramar, N.B., is holding a sale to get rid of surplus items it acquired after the Town of Sackville amalgamated with smaller communities last year.
Free money? Mysterious person leaving $50 bills around Metro Vancouver
For several weeks, a mysterious social media user has apparently been leaving $50 bills hidden across Metro Vancouver.
Regina Rifles statue officially unveiled in France
A statue dedicated to the Royal Regina Rifles Regiment has been officially unveiled in France just ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
N.S. student wins prestigious scholarship for famous Scotland university
A Cape Breton is this year's recipient of the McEuen Scholarship, which gives him basically a full ride to the medical school at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Suspect caught making sundae during Kelowna break-in: RCMP
Mounties in Kelowna nabbed a would-be burglar with an apparent sweet tooth over the weekend.
'A lot of all-nighters': Winnipeg student creates massive D-Day diorama
When Alyssa Anklewich’s history teacher assigned her Westwood Collegiate class an essay about D-Day, the 15-year-old had other ideas.
Forest bathing: What it is and why some Alberta doctors recommend it
Many people are familiar with the benefits of being in nature, but forest therapy goes a step further than a simple walk in the woods.
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.