Premier Moe says health deal less than expected but Saskatchewan won’t turn it down

REGINA – Premier Scott Moe says Ottawa’s offer for health-care funding is much less than what provinces wanted but Saskatchewan will not be turning it down.

Moe says any increase in health-care dollars is appreciated and would be applied in Saskatchewan.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tabled a new health funding offer to the provinces and territories with a promise of adding $46 billion to expected federal health transfers over the next 10 years.

Provinces have to agree to show how they would spend the money and measure progress in key areas including family medicine, surgical backlogs and mental health.

Moe says Saskatchewan has initiatives in place that would address some of the priorities the federal government has put forward.

He says the extra money would allow for those to be accelerated or expanded.

“Any increase in the area of health care is most certainly appreciated and would be well applied here in Saskatchewan,“ Moe said Monday in Regina.

The Council of the Federation, which comprises all Canada’s premiers, will discuss how to move forward with the offer, Moe added.

Ottawa is looking for rapid agreements with all 13 provinces and territories. Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc were scheduled to meet with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Health Minister Michelle Thompson on Monday.

“I don’t think anyone in Canada is of the mind we can be rejecting or forgoing health investment,“ Moe said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2023.

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