Canada’s provincial premiers say they want a meeting with the Prime Minister to talk about the struggling health care sector.
The premiers made the demand in a news conference Friday.
Host premier, Manitoba’s Heather Stefanson, says Canadians are relying on the provincial and federal governments to work together.
“Now, more than ever, Canadians expect their political leaders to get together for necessary and serious discussions to ensure the sustainability of the healthcare systems that they depend on across our country,” said Stefanson.
Premiers have been insisting their provinces and territories are required to pay a disproportionate amount of the costs when it comes to healthcare. So, they have been asking the federal government to increase its share of health-care costs to 35 per cent, up from 22 per cent.
Stefanson said a date needs to be set early in January for all parties to meet and work together to find solutions.
“All premiers are ready, willing, and able to sit down for serious discussions as soon as possible. The premiers and the Prime Minister should meet early in the new year on these critical issues. Canadians shouldn’t have to wait any longer,” Stefanson added.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says this proposed meeting should be a priority for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Nothing should be more important to the Prime Minister than meeting with the 13 premiers. That’s the bottom line,” said Ford. “Then we can sit down and have a proper discussion. The number one issue in this entire country, from coast to coast to coast, is healthcare, and we can’t go at it alone.”
This conversation comes at a time when children’s hospitals across the country are struggling to cope with a surge in patients with respiratory illnesses.
