Just days after tabling a budget with no new money for health care right now, Prime Minister Paul Martin said he may be able squeeze out more funding for the provinces, perhaps this summer when he meets with the premiers.
"There will be more money for health care, the federal government will increase its share of funding," Mr. Martin said in Winnipeg during a speech to the Chamber of Commerce.
The federal government announced that it would give the provinces an additional $2-billion for the fiscal year ending March 31. In this week's budget, however, Mr. Martin made no more provinces about funding, saying he wants to wait until a crucial meeting with the premiers this summer.
In his speech Friday, he said that he wants both funding and long-term sustainability to go hand-in-hand.
Prime Minister Paul Martin gives a hug and kiss to Hannah Taylor, 8, after he addressed a crowd in Winnipeg on Friday. (Ruth Bonneville/CP)
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"When it comes to health care, we require much more than yet another deal that will only last until another budget. We require an enduring plan and a sustainable solution. In short, we've got to stop fighting about medicare and start fighting for medicare," Mr. Martin said Friday.
For this reason, he said, "I have asked to meet with the premiers this summer, not just for lunch or dinner over a weekend, but for as long as it takes to put in place a health-care system that is funded and clearly sustainable."
He added he wanted the meeting to forge a new relationship with the provinces and territories.
The Prime Minister also spoke about reforms within the health system, saying he agreed with federal health commissioner Roy Romanow's report that said accomplishing goals in terms of the system will require "transformative change."
He talked about the need to see real improvements, such as reducing waiting lists and expanding services.
When talking to reporters later, however, he said he did not intend to change the Canada Health Act and said he felt any improvements to the system could be done within the act's confines.
"Within those principles, there's plenty of room for governments to be innovative.
Mr. Romanow's November, 2002, report recommended the federal government pick up at least 25 per cent of medicare costs. The provinces contend that Ottawa now chips in only 16 per cent.
Mr. Romanow also recommended coverage for catastrophic drug care and more money for home care, for advanced diagnostics such as MRIs and for rural care.
Mr. Martin's comments followed reports that a senior Health Department source said the government would consider revising the Canada Health Act.
Such a move has been called for by Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who says the provinces need flexibility to allow more private-sector involvement in the health system.
Mr. Martin was also asked by reporters about the timing of going to the polls. Mr. Martin was originally said to have been planning a spring election but has since said he wants to ensure Canadians have enough information about the sponsorship scandal to go ahead.
He confirmed that the federal Liberals will launch an advertising campaign next week but said it does not mean an election is around the corner.
"Well, other parties are doing it. We've not made any decision as to when the election will be held, but just as the other parties [are], I think we're all out, you know, testing the waters."
With a report from Canadian Press
