VANCOUVER ISLAND – Parksville New Democrat MLA Adam Walker says Premier John Horgan is leading Canada’s premiers in calling on the federal government to increase funding for health care, in order to strengthen services for people on Vancouver Island and across the province.

“The biggest issue I hear about from people in Parksville-Qualicum is healthcare and I know it’s the same across the province,” said Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. “That’s why our Premier John Horgan is leading premiers across the country and calling for the federal government to increase their funding. An increase in the federal contribution will improve our healthcare services and make a huge difference for people on the Island.”

This morning, Premier Horgan chaired a virtual meeting of Canada’s premiers to discuss the urgent need to resolve the structural funding shortfall facing our health care systems. All premiers are united in calling on the federal government to increase its share of provincial-territorial health care costs through the Canada Health Transfer to 35%.

MLA Adam Walker says this funding increase from the federal government will help to support investments in priority areas of health care for Vancouver Island including long-term care, mental health and addictions care, and access to primary care.

When universal health care was established, it was evenly funded between the federal and provincial governments, but now provinces are covering approximately 80% of the costs. Recent polling shows 87% of Canadians agree that an immediate increase in funding and resources is needed to help alleviate the strain the pandemic has put on their province or territory’s healthcare system.

Premier Horgan, the Chair of the Council of the Federation, is calling for a First Ministers Meeting with the Prime Minister to focus on health transfers to achieve a joint commitment to improve and strengthen healthcare across the country.

Learn More:  https://bit.ly/3GsfPrx