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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.