February 4, 2022
Statement from Premier Heather Stefanson
Today, I was pleased to join my provincial and territorial colleagues to discuss the significant pressures on Canada’s health-care system and the urgent need for a renewed and reinvigorated long-term funding partnership with the federal government through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT).
Access to quality and timely care is a top priority for Manitobans and all Canadians and we have a unique opportunity to build a better health-care system together – based on a new health-care funding partnership with Canada.
Now more than ever, as COVID-19 has proved, addressing the ever-declining federal share of health-care funding is absolutely necessary. Originally conceived as a 50-50 partnership, the federal funding share to provinces and territories has eroded to just 22 per cent of total health-care costs. All premiers remain united in our call for the federal government to increase its share to 35 per cent, through an immediate $28 billion injection to the CHT.
I am pleased to note that Manitoba has already taken significant steps to address diagnostic and surgical backlogs that have been compounded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During today’s virtual meeting, we also had the opportunity to discuss protests that are taking place in many jurisdictions across our nation. Our government respects the right to a peaceful protest. However, protestors must also respect the rights of others, too.
In Manitoba, we are monitoring the situation very closely around the Manitoba Legislative Building.
Manitoba Justice and Government Services are working collaboratively with the Winnipeg Police Service to ensure this is a peaceful and lawful event. I have been in constant communication with Mayor Bowman, City of Winnipeg and provincial officials to ensure the safety and security of those living, working and moving about the area.
I encourage all Manitobans to be respectful and kind to one another, especially during this difficult time.
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