Ontario's premier and health minister say the province will accept any new health care spending and investment from the federal government, but are concerned about the timing of the funding Ottawa is offering.
Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones will meet Thursday in Toronto with federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc to discuss the details of the proposed new money.
I have talked to the premier about yesterday's meeting and there is no doubt that any increase in health investment will be accepted, but I have to say I have concerns about the timelines. We are building a health care system for generations to come and when the federal government brings in agreements that come with increases over 5 and 10 years it is very challenging, whether you are talking about new medical schools, more resident positions, training and hiring new nurses, those are all things that take literally decades and need government commitment for decades. Yes, we are grateful that the federal government has come to the table, but I have to look at it long term and I have my concerns when I look at these agreements only 5 and 10 years out.
Jones, speaking after a palliative care announcement, said he hopes to hear from Duclos "how we can make sure these are not short-term, one-time programs."
"when the agreements come from the federal government in 10-year and five-year increments, it makes it very difficult," he said.