Provinces expect letter from federal health minister asking for by-in on new health deal

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos will ask the provinces today whether or not they intend to accept the new health-care funding deal tabled by the prime minister.

Duclos and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett are to write to the provincial health ministers seeking some clarity on their positions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers met in Ottawa Tuesday where he presented an offer that would see transfers to the provinces rise by $196 billion over the next 10 years.

The proposal falls well short of the demand from the provinces for the federal government to shoulder a much greater share of health care spending.

Still, most premiers indicated they were disappointed but are likely to accept the offer because they can't say no to new money.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says the premiers will meet again on their own to discuss the deal within the next few days.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2023.