PRINCE RUPERT – North Coast New Democrat MLA Jennifer Rice 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 North and across the province.

“Health care needs are different in every part of our province and country, yet we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the best care possible,” said MLA Rice. “By leading these discussions with Ottawa to increase the Health Transfer, I’m proud to see Premier Horgan working hard to address the unique challenges faced by rural and Northern communities.”

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 Rice says this funding increase from the federal government will help to support investments in priority areas of health care for the North 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 health care 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 health care across the country.

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