Legault, Ford, urges Ottawa to speed up health transfers to provinces
Ontario and Quebec premiers are calling on Ottawa to raise health transfers to the provinces, arguing that, in addition to current federal COVID-19 assistance, reliable, long-term support is needed to resolve health-care problems predating the pandemic. Ontario's Doug Ford and Quebec's François Legault declared the proposal Wednesday following a meeting in Mississauga, Ont., to discuss economic recovery and health readiness. The two Premiers said they did not set a percentage or dollar sum for the federal government's support they are seeking, adding that they must first consult with other provincial and territorial leaders on the matter. But they said they agree that a significant increase in the Canada Health Transfer is needed to address the current stresses on their respective health-care systems, which have now been compounded by the global health crisis. "It's not a new problem, but it's a problem that rises every year and rises because of COVID-19 ex...