LOWER MAINLAND – Richmond South Centre New Democrat MLA Henry Yao 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 in the Lower Mainland and across the province.

“People in every corner of the province deserve access to healthcare that addresses their unique needs, and the pandemic has made that more important than ever,” says Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond South Centre. “Increased funding will strengthen healthcare for people in the Lower Mainland and I’m glad Premier Horgan is leading this call to help us build a healthier, more resilient province where everyone can thrive.”

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 Henry Yao says this funding increase from the federal government will help to support investments in priority areas of health care for the Lower Mainland, 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.

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