Health Minister Duclos must improve services and accountability for federal funding, says Health Coalition
The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) congratulates Jean-Yves Duclos (Quebec) on his appointment as Minister of Health, and Carolyn Bennett (Toronto—St. Paul’s) on her appointment as Minister of Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health. The ongoing crisis in health care, worsened by the pandemic, requires urgent attention from these important ministers, the new Cabinet, and Prime Minister Trudeau’s recently re-elected Liberal government.
We congratulate Jean-Yves Duclos on his appointment as Minister of Health, and Carolyn Bennett as Minister of Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health @jyduclos @Carolyn_Bennett#cdnpoli
— Cdn Health Coalition (@HealthCoalition) October 27, 2021
Jean-Yves Duclos will likely lead federal negotiations with the provinces and territories on health care funding and new programs.
“Health Minister Duclos must ensure any increases to federal health transfers to provinces improve services and programs, including pharmacare and long-term care,” said CHC Chairperson Pauline Worsfold, RN. “Canadians want greater accountability for the Canada Health Transfer to guarantee health care dollars strengthen our public system, and are not squandered on other provincial budget measures such as tax cuts.”
“Health Minister Duclos must ensure any increases to federal health transfers to provinces improve services and programs, including pharmacare and long-term care.”
CHC Chairperson Pauline Worsfold, RN
Health care funding has quickly become a top public policy issue following a request from the provinces and territories to increase the Canada Health Transfer from 22% to 35% of total health care spending, at a cost to the federal treasury of an estimated $28 billion each year. The CHC has urged caution in the federal government’s response to this demand, especially considering the provinces and territories are expecting the funding increases to be without conditions.
The Canadian Health Coalition represents frontline health care workers, community allies and experts, and advocates for the preservation and improvement of universal public health care across Canada.
