Ottawa says ready to facilitate medical relocation to states and territories

The federal government has said it is ready to increase health care transfers to provinces and territories, just as Canada’s health ministers meet about their struggling health system.

But federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos said jurisdictions must commit to expanding the use of common key health indicators and building national “world-class” health data systems. says.

Duclos made the statement just before ministers held a press conference in Vancouver to make proposals on increasing medical transfers in Canada.

Host Minister Adrian Dix said states and territories have settled on a “cohesive and common approach” to adopt Duclos, saying health care transfers need to be increased to 35% and this should be maintained. is the level.

See | Jean-Yves Duclos announces plans to increase funding for state and territory health care.

He said that given what the territory and state have been through with COVID-19, a national conference on health transfer systems is needed to reach a funding agreement.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Montreal that the government had pledged to invest “substantially” in health care, but wanted to ensure people had access to primary care and mental health services.

Dix said the situation was particularly urgent because “this is going to be a difficult winter,” with an expected surge in respiratory illnesses “including but not limited to COVID-19.” are mentioning.

The meeting in Vancouver will be the first time since 2018 that all Canadian health ministers will meet in person.