Trudeau to meet premiers next month for health care deal

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today he will meet with the premiers next month to negotiate a health care deal. The premiers have been asking for a direct meeting with the prime minister to deal with the issue.

"We need to build a system that Canadians are going to be able to rely on to deliver results for them for years to come,” Trudeau said.

The meeting is scheduled for February 7 in Ottawa.

Premiers seek higher funding commitment

Premiers have asked Ottawa to increase how much it spends on the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) every year.

But Ottawa is remaining tight-lipped on specifics of any deal. Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters: “Out of respect for the work that we need to do with the provinces, we'll obviously maintain an appropriate degree of discretion as to how exactly that support will be provided to them."

Ottawa’s current share of health-care costs is 22 per cent. Premiers are asking Ottawa to increase its share to 35 per cent.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford welcomed news of the meeting.

“We have a lot to discuss, including making sure the federal government properly funds the health care people rely on. When Team Canada works together, there’s nothing we can’t do,” Ford said on Twitter Wednesday morning.

Quebec Premier François Legault said he spoke to Trudeau and is “optimistic” about a deal.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau views the meetings as a starting point for bilateral deals with the provinces.

"It'll be about starting the very direct hard work of the bilateral arrangements that will happen with every province, while at the same time moving forward with a frame around data, health information and results that I think every Canadian wants to see," Trudeau said.

Canada's health care system has been heavily strained by three years of the COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of health-care workers.