Western Premiers' Conference focuses on healthcare funding from Ottawa
Premiers from western Canada met to discuss healthcare in their first face-to-face meeting in more than two years in Regina on Friday at the 2022 Western Premiers' Conference.
The premiers discussed the need for the federal government to increase its share of health transfer payments from 22 per cent to 35 per cent, which would be about $28 billion per year.
“How can we possibly add more when we can’t deliver what we’ve got right now and that’s all about funding and it’s about cooperation and collaboration,” said British Columbia's Premier, John Horgan.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said this would ensure sustainable funding for existing services and future enhancements to the sector.
Moe said he feels confident the federal government will continue discussions surrounding the increase in transfer payments with western leaders after Friday's conference is over.
In addition to healthcare, other topics such as affordability, economic recovery and security were also discussed at the one day conference.
"Here we are in Western Canada sitting on the third largest oil reserves in the world, fourth largest gas reserves and yet we're paying, I don't know, well in Many parts of Western Canada and B.C. over $2.00 a litre for gas. On the prairies about a buck seventy five. We're a little cheaper because we eliminated our fuel tax, by the way," said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.
The premiers issued a call for action in several key areas including:
- Health transfer payments
- The labour market
- Strong supply chains
- Energy and food security
- Arctic security and sovereignty
“A good and robust discussion led by our territorial premiers on security and sovereignty and in particular the security and sovereignty of our Arctic areas of Canada, a very paramount and important discussion given what we see happening with the Russian invasion of Ukraine," said Premier Moe.
The premiers also discussed the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
"To welcome them here for their stay in Canada and so we felt that was very important," said Premier of Manitoba, Heather Stefanson.
Canada's western premiers will need federal cooperation on many of the issues raised. They will have an opportunity to gauge federal support when the Council of the Federation meets in Victoria in July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.