Trudeau to propose raise in health-care funds to provinces, territories

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with Canada’s premiers Tuesday in Ottawa to propose a significant raise in health-care funding.

The COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of health-care workers has strained the system in Canada.

The premiers have been asking Trudeau to join the table to discuss an increase in health-care funding for over two years, with provinces asking Ottawa to raise its share of health-care funds to 35 per cent from around 22 per cent presently.

I’ll be meeting with all the premiers tomorrow, and there’s only one item on the agenda: Health care. More on that here: pic.twitter.com/XFtfc1XPF0

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 7, 2023

According to a senior government official, Trudeau will offer a 10-year deal that will add to the annual transfer, while offering additional targeted funding with attached conditions.

The provinces would be required to show how any additional money will be used to develop patient care.

Ottawa transferred $45.2 billion to provinces for health care in the current fiscal year.

The Canada Health Transfer is presently set to rise by nine percent in 2023-24, amounting to $49.4 billion – which is double the average annual increase over the past six years.

READ MORE: Trudeau, premiers to meet in Ottawa to discuss health-care deal