Federal-provincial health care negotiations 'a long road'

P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan is not discouraged by the failure of a federal-provincial meeting Monday to reach a new health care funding deal.

• Ottawa, provinces fail to reach a deal on health spending

Speaking to CBC P.E.I.'s Island Morning, MacLauchlan pointed out health care makes up 10 per of the Canadian economy, and is a perhaps the number one issue for Canadians.

"I don't think anyone can responsibly say anything is off the table. Canadians' health care is on the table," he said.

Provinces facing deadline

Ottawa had offered $11.5 billion to support home care and mental health. That offer was rejected by the provinces and Ottawa says that deal is now off the table. Without a new deal, funding for the Canada Health Transfer will revert to three per cent a year as of April 1.

The federal government knows how to make collaborative federalism work.- Premier Wade MacLauchlan

The provinces are looking for a 5.2 per cent increase.

MacLauchlan believes the issue will have to be dealt with at a first ministers' meeting between the prime minister and the premiers, and he believes a deal can be worked out.

"This is a long road," he said.

"The federal government knows how to make collaborative federalism work."

A first ministers' meeting is expected early in the new year.

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