March 4, 2021
Statement from Premier Brian Pallister on Canada's Premiers' Call to Federal Government to Increase the Canada Health Transfer Now
Today I was joined by premiers from coast to coast to renew our call to the prime minister and the federal government to restore its rightful role as a true funding partner in sustaining health care in Canada.
As we approach the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is simply no other issue that matters most to our fellow Canadians than improving health care. Never has the need for health care been greater and never has federal funding support been lower. Too many Canadians are waiting in pain for surgeries, test and treatments. COVID-19 has made a bad situation worse.
The prime minister is presenting a false choice, that until we are through the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot address the growing and unsustainable health-care wait times. The prime minister has said “Now is not the time to address this issue.” and I say, “When is a better time?”
Over one million Canadians are waiting in pain every day for a diagnosis, test or treatment, such as a new hip or knee or cataract surgery. That is over one million reasons for the prime minister to act now, not later.
And, as every Canadian knows, COVID-19 is making this worse. More and more people are waiting longer than ever.
Every premier of all political stripes is united today in our call for a true federal partner on health care. Every premier is ready to work with the federal government to deliver better health care sooner for all Canadians.
What we need is a prime minister ready and willing to partner with us, for Canadians.
We are asking today – again – that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau be that partner.
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