Western premiers agree on health transfers

The Premier of Saskatchewan, host of the meeting, says Western Canada is going through a difficult time with regard to supply chains.

Western Premiers must make their voices heard when it comes to discussing the real services provided to our communities, both import and exportsays Scott Moe.

He believes it is important that Western Canada continue discussions with the federal government on maintaining and expanding rail services and port opportunities.

Issues related to immigration, in particular the reception of Ukrainian refugees, training and work were also at the center of the debates.

The issue of federal health transfers, a top priority

Western Canadian premiers urge federal government to provide funding to provinces sustainable health care. They reiterated this request and are calling for discussions with Ottawa.

They want Ottawa to increase its share of health transfers from 22% to 35%, or $28 billion a year.

During a Friday morning press briefing, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and British Columbia Premier John Horgan highlighted the pressures brought on by the pandemic and the subsequent increase in waiting for surgeries and diagnoses, to justify their request.

Mr. Horgan that he is urgent and urgent to take action in health care. We’ve never been at such a critical point he points out.

Scott Moe, said recent announcements from the federal government, such as $2 billion for surgical wait times, are welcome and three- to five-year funding agreements are welcome. appreciated .

However, he specifies that these announcements do not respond to the request of the Prime Ministers. According to him, short-term agreements do not provide the certainty of the costs implied by the increase in the transfer.

” Canadians want sustainable health services »

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and her Alberta and Yukon counterparts Jason Kenney and Sandy Silver, respectively, all agreed.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney explained that the problems facing provincial health systems existed before the pandemic.

On the Manitoba side, Premier Heather Stefanson said provincial and territorial health systems each have unique and different challenges. She wants the federal government to increase health transfers, to allow the provinces and territories to be free to choose how the money will be distributed.

Ukraine, Arctic sovereignty and accessibility

Other issues discussed at Friday’s meeting include the economy, energy security, the war in Ukraine and sovereignty in the Arctic.

The most important question for western Canadians is the cost of living after inflation, says Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.

This is a crisis caused by two things. The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and a lack of investment in the development of oil and gas exploration in Canada Mr. Kenney said.

Canadians shouldn’t be hit so hard by high energy pricessaid Mr. Kenney, referring to the fact that the country has large reserves of oil and natural gas.

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane and Yukon Premier Sandy Silver also raised concerns about the impact on the rising cost of living.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson spoke about the Ukrainian refugees recently settled in Manitoba. We will ensure that those people who come here for refuge have the support they need while they are in our country and our province.

Western Premiers issued a joint press release to request timely information sharing on settlement assistance for Ukrainian refugees.

Western Premiers agreed that the Arctic is essential to Canada’s security, sovereignty and economic prosperity, and that significant federal investment through increased development and presence in northern and arctic regions is necessary to support thriving communities,” the joint statement said.