The premiers and federal government meet in Ottawa on Feb. 7, 2023. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says the premiers have accepted the health-care funding offer. (Photo From Facebook/Justin Trudeau)

By Canadian Press

Premiers agree to accept new federal health-care funding offer

Feb 13, 2023 | 4:52 PM

OTTAWA – Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says the premiers have agreed to accept the health-care funding deal offered to them by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, although they say it is far less than they wanted.

Stefanson is the current chair and spokeswoman of the premiers association known as the Council of the Federation.

The premiers met virtually today, nearly a week after Trudeau offered the provinces and territories another $46 billion on top of the planned federal health transfers over the next 10 years.

The offer was well shy of the premiers’ demand for Ottawa to increase its share of health spending from 22 per cent to 35 per cent.

Stefanson says the proposal amounts to about a two per cent increase.

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Still, she says the provinces will accept the new money while continuing to work with Ottawa on a long-term plan to ensure the viability of Canada’s cherished health-care system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2023.

The Canadian Press