Provinces push back over prospect of reduced rate of federal health transfers
OTTAWA — Negotiations on a long-term, health funding agreement with the provinces and territories will be at risk if the federal government doesn’t bring more cash to the table, British Columbia’s health minister said Tuesday.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Terry Lake said he is troubled by recent signals from Health Minister Jane Philpott that the federal Liberals plan to limit annual health increases to three per cent — half the six per cent increase set out in the last agreement.
There is “no question” that annual increases of just three per cent would put B.C. under enormous fiscal pressure, especially with an aging population, Lake said. He noted provincial and territorial ministers have asked Ottawa to return to more traditional levels of health funding.
Lake said while he maintains a strong relationship with Philpott on issues including harm-reduction strategies and addressing B.C.’s opioid epidemic, he is concerned about the financing agreement as ministers prepare to meet in Toronto next month.