Canada’s 13 premiers are calling Ottawa to increase Canada health transfers to the provinces.
B.C. Premier John Horgan says they’re calling on the federal government to increase the federal transfers from 22 per cent to 35 per cent.
Horgan adds the country’s health care system has been put to the test by the pandemic. “We need a significant, long-term increase in funding from the federal government to meet the challenges of coming out of the pandemic and ensuring that the services that people expect and deserve in Canada are uniformed coast-to-coast-to-coast.”
Horgan says when public health care in Canada began, it was more or less a 50/50 partnership between the provinces and Ottawa, however over the last five decades, federal funding has eroded down to 22 per cent.
During a virtual news conference Friday, a number of premiers were asked about protests happening in their home provinces including Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
He says “All Canadians do have the right to protest.” when asked about a trucker convoy expected to make its way to the Legislature in Regina Saturday. Moe noted that they have the right to do so but peacefully and within the confines of the law. Moe adds we all need to look at a sustainable approach when it comes to COVID-19 moving forward, something the premier says is happening here in Saskatchewan.
“What ultimately is driving many of these current protests here today, and it is as Premier Horgan had mentioned, you know, folks across Canada are growing weary. They’re growing weary, you know of managing their way through COVID and their personal life and in their professional life and they’re growing weary of, quite frankly at times as well with some of the public health measures that have been in place for some time.”
Moe says the province supports everyone getting out and getting their vaccines, however Moe says the province is looking at the current public health measures that are in place and how effective they are.
A convoy is also expected to make its way into Toronto this weekend. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he believes things will be in good hands with the Toronto Police Service as they’re set to have a large presence in the city’s downtown Saturday. Ford just hopes things will continue to be good as the weekend rolls on. As for those still in Ottawa from last weekend’s demonstration, he says it’s time to go home.
“Regarding Ottawa, the occupation, it’s not a protest anymore, it’s become an occupation. It’s only hurting families, it’s hurting businesses, that these folks are suppose to be supporting, but only hurting businesses in a big way. People want to move on and get through this. It’s time for this to come to an end.”
In regards to lifting federal travel restrictions, Horgan says the matter hasn’t been discussed in the last two meetings with the feds, although the B.C. premier did note that he will bring it up in the future with officials in Ottawa.
