Ford says new federal dollars for health care only a 'down payment on future discussions'
Premier Doug Ford says that the $46 billion in new health-care funding that Ottawa has offered the provinces is a “starting point” but should be viewed as a “down payment on further discussions” only.
Ford made the comment during a news conference alongside other premiers on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tabled the offer.
“I always welcome new funding either small or large. But what we see this as is a starting point. It is a down payment on further discussions,” he said.
Trudeau has offered to shift $196 billion to the provinces and territories over the next decade in exchange for their commitment to upgrade health-care data collection and digital record keeping.
But only about $46 billion of that investment is new funding.
Of that, Ontario would receive about $8.4 billion over the next decade as part of a revised bilateral agreement with the feds, Ford’s office says. It would also receive another $776 million as part of an emergency top up of the Canada Health Transfer.
Speaking with reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday, Ford acknowledged that the premiers were looking for more money but said that he remains hopeful that further discussions on more “sustainable” funding arrangements can still happen down the road.
“For all of us it's about sustainability. It's about building a healthcare system not for five years, not for 10 years but decades,” he said. “I think we all need to go back. We need to sit down with our ministers and health experts and finance and see where this puts us and then we will reconvene. We just need to absorb this a letter deeper.”
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones has previously called on the federal government to increase the portion of health care that it funds from about 22 per cent to 35 per cent.
However, Quebec Premier François Legault said on Tuesday that the additional funds offered by Ottawa would likely only increase the federal government’s share of health care spending to around 24 per cent.
“We always welcome new money. Is it going to transform the healthcare system? A few percent? No, it's not,” Ford conceded on Tuesday. “But can we deliver health care in a better fashion, a more efficient way of delivering health care? I truly believe we can.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.