REGINA - Premier Scott Moe has issued a statement expressing disappointment at the offer made to provinces on the Canada Health Transfer.
The federal government had made an offer to the provinces of $196 billion over ten years in health care funding, with only $46.2 billion of that being new funding. That prompted an expression of disappointment from Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, speaking for the Council of the Federation on Tuesday in Ottawa.
On Wednesday, Premier Moe issued a full statement on the talks in which he also expressed disappointment. He said the meeting confirmed the federal government “have no interest” in becoming a full funding partner. He added the details of the offer amount to a two per cent increase, “and falls short in outlining a path forward for long term, sustainable funding” they were seeking.
The statement from Premier Moe came minutes after a statement from Opposition Leader Carla Beck, in which she stated she was “glad to hear that additional funding is on the table.” Premier Moe was scheduled to be in Houston, Texas for a Saskatchewan trade mission this week following his departure from Ottawa.
The full statement from Moe is as follows:
“The federal government has had years to respond to the unanimous request from all provinces and territories to become a full funding partner. Yesterday’s long-awaited meeting confirmed they have no interest in doing so.
“The details of the offer amount to a two per cent increase, and falls short in outlining a path forward for long term, sustainable funding that all Premiers have been calling for.
“Saskatchewan will be evaluating the proposal and having further discussions. The Council of the Federation is expected to meet again in the days to come.
“While the federal funding proposal is disappointing, it will not deter our government from moving ahead with our ambitious health human resources plan to add over 1,000 new health care workers, as well as making important investments in mental health and addictions, reducing surgical wait times, building and renovating health facilities and many other health care priorities.
“Our goal remains to provide the best possible health care services to the people of Saskatchewan, in spite of the federal government’s lack of commitment to provide its share of health care funding.”
