Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Five Things To Know About The Liberal Pledge To Establish New Health Accord

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Nov, 2015 01:51 PM
    OTTAWA — Jane Philpott, Canada's new health minister, says she intends to reach out to the provinces and territories as early as this week to begin the lengthy process of establishing a new federal-provincial health accord.
     
    Here are five things to know about the agreement:
     
    1. What is a health accord?
     
    The accord is an arrangement between the federal government and the provinces and territories. It is an action plan backed by billions of federal dollars designed to establish shared goals. Canada currently lacks a health accord.
     
    2. What happened to the last health accord?
     
    The former Conservative government allowed a 10-year, $41-billion health accord established in 2004 under former Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin to expire. The lack of an agreement has left the provinces to carve out their own plans.
     
    3. Why do the Liberals want to establish a new health accord?
     
     
    In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Philpott said the Liberal government views the accord as a high priority because other aspects of her party's platform will depend on developing a strong relationship with the provinces and territories. The Grits have vowed to launch a new era of federal-provincial relations, especially on the health front.
     
    4. What is the first step in reaching a new agreement?
     
    The Liberals have promised to start by negotiating a new health accord and a long-term agreement on funding. Philpott says she will be starting this dialogue as soon as this week ahead of a health ministers meeting in January, which she plans to attend.
     
    5. What challenges are ahead?
     
    Provinces and territories will be keen to see the federal government restore the escalator — a six-per-cent annual increase in health care transfers to the provinces  — to previous increases, which promises to pose a huge budgetary conundrum for the federal government. As the Liberals work to get the provinces and territories on side with the accord, the government will also have to address the escalator issue.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Heavy Police Presence At Montreal-Area Funeral For Hells Angels Member

    Heavy Police Presence At Montreal-Area Funeral For Hells Angels Member
    Officers from multiple police forces were on alert Saturday afternoon as around 300 people gathered east of Montreal for the funeral of a man who police have linked to the Hells Angels.

    Heavy Police Presence At Montreal-Area Funeral For Hells Angels Member

    Canada's Environment Minister Catherine Mckenna Attends Climate Change Talks In Paris

    Canada's Environment Minister Catherine Mckenna Attends Climate Change Talks In Paris
    PARIS — Canada's new environment minister is in Paris taking part in talks with counterparts from a host of countries to lay the groundwork for this month's global climate change summit.

    Canada's Environment Minister Catherine Mckenna Attends Climate Change Talks In Paris

    Diwali Fireworks Allowed In Mississauga Now

    Diwali Fireworks Allowed In Mississauga Now
    Till now, city by-laws allowed fireworks only on Canada Day, New Year's Day and Victoria Day.

    Diwali Fireworks Allowed In Mississauga Now

    Mother Of Canadian Soldier Killed Fighting Islamic State Is Waiting To Bring Her Son's Body Home

    Mother Of Canadian Soldier Killed Fighting Islamic State Is Waiting To Bring Her Son's Body Home
    The mother of a Canadian who was killed while fighting the Islamic State said she doesn't know when she'll be able to bring her son's body home.

    Mother Of Canadian Soldier Killed Fighting Islamic State Is Waiting To Bring Her Son's Body Home

    Police Looking For Indo-Canadian Man For SkyTrain Sexual Assault

    Police Looking For Indo-Canadian Man For SkyTrain Sexual Assault
    Metro Vancouver Transit Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a sexual assault on the SkyTrain.

    Police Looking For Indo-Canadian Man For SkyTrain Sexual Assault

    Alberta's Education Minister David Eggen Tells Schools To Come Up With LGBTQ Policy

    Alberta's Education Minister David Eggen Tells Schools To Come Up With LGBTQ Policy
    Alberta's education minister has sent a letter to school boards in the province reminding them that provincial law requires them to create a safe learning environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students.

    Alberta's Education Minister David Eggen Tells Schools To Come Up With LGBTQ Policy