Legault & The Other Premiers Are Going To Ask Trudeau For $28 Billion More For Health Care
The Council of the Federation announced today that Canada's premiers are planning to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for 13% more money to put toward health care in a meeting that will take place in early December.
"We are unanimous: the federal government needs to increase its federal health transfers to 35% or $28 billion more," Quebec Premier François Legault posted on Facebook on November 13.
"If we want to be able to continue delivering quality health services to all our citizens, the federal government must finally do its fair share."
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$28 Billion
How much the provinces are asking from the feds for health care
The federal government in Canada currently contributes 22% to provincial health care via the Canada Health Transfer, according to the premiers.
They are asking for this to be increased to 35%, which Legault, who chairs the council, said is $28 billion more.
"When Medicare became a priority in Canada five decades ago, it was based on the principle of a 50/50 partnership in sharing health costs," reads an information document by the council.
"Over the years, provincial and territorial governments have been forced to fill the void [...] leaving less money for other fundamental government services such as education, justice and social services."
In 2020, Quebec is expected to receive $13.3 billion from the federal government in "equalization payments" — the most of any other province or territory.