Doug Ford eyes meeting between premiers and PM over health care

As a new year begins, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’s hoping it’s going to include a long-sought meeting between the premiers and the Prime Minister on health care.

“I am confident we will sit down,” Mr. Ford said Wednesday when asked about the issue at a news conference in Toronto. “We’re still trying to get a date. I don’t know what’s so hard about it.”

And once at the table, Mr. Ford said he would be open to more accountability on health spending in exchange for more federal money.

“Everyone has to be accountable. I always say there is one taxpayer, no matter if it’s municipal. federal or provincial. That’s one person paying the taxes and there always has to be accountability so that’s the least of our issues. Do we want a little bit of flexibility? Yeah, and I think they’re willing to do that,” said Mr. Ford, referring to Ottawa.

“Sometimes you need to shift funds. As long as it’s transparent, and people can see it, and the feds can see it in the province, we’re going to get there. I’m really confident we’re going to get there.”

The premiers have been seeking a meeting, as a group, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they press for an increase in the Canada Health Transfer through which Ottawa provides health care funding. They want to see Ottawa cover 35 per cent of health care costs across the country, up from the current 22 per cent. Mr. Trudeau has said the federal government is looking for reforms and improvements to the health-care system.

Following a late December meeting with Mr. Trudeau, Quebec Premier François Legault said he was “more optimistic” about securing a health care deal with Ottawa.

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