Courtesy CPAC
All of Canada’s premiers want the Trudeau government to increase health care funding to the provinces by at least 13 percent in the upcoming federal budget.
The Council of the Federation held a virtual news conference on Thursday.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs admitted the province is falling behind other jurisdictions in providing important health care services.
He cites an older population as an example of how the needs are increasing.
“New Brunswick’s population and that of my neighbouring Atlantic provinces are aging at a faster pace than all other provinces. An older population means more people requiring more health care services.”
Higgs say the province must recruit and retain the next generation of health care professionals to care for people.
He also spoke about meeting an increasing demand for mental health services and mentioned Lexi Dakin of Fredericton.
“Just recently, a 16-year-old girl in our province took her own life after she was unable to access the services she needed.”
Higgs says the province is currently investing significant dollars to try and meet national standards.
“Only 45 percent of New Brunswickers can currently receive a hip and knee replacement within six months compared to 72 percent for other provinces.”
Provinces and territories are currently paying for 78 percent of health care costs and the premiers fear the federal share will continue to decline.
The premiers urge Ottawa to increase health care funding from 22 percent to 35 percent – from $42 billion to $70 billion – and to maintain this level with a minimum annual escalator of 5 percent.
