Canada’s Premiers are meeting with the Prime Minister today (Tues)to come up with a new agreement on the Canada Health Transfer. Right now, the federal government provides 22 per cent and Premier Scott Moe would like that increased to 35 per cent.

A survey from the Angus Reid Institute has found that two-in-five or 41 per cent believe changes to the health system and reporting reforms should be a condition of the increased funding, and 44 per cent say there should be no strings attached. Most residents polled in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec believe there should be no conditions.

The only region where the majority want commitments from the provincial government to access additional funding is Ontario. The Angus Reid Institute notes that Ontario’s Premier has announced plans to move some procedures to private clinics, but paid for through government funding. In Saskatchewan, 59 per cent voted for the province getting extra health funds without any conditions, while 28 per cent said conditions are needed and 13 per cent said they aren’t sure. The Monday poll on this website asked: Do you think any federal increase in health care funding to the provinces should come with conditions to ensure certain priorities are addressed? 56 per cent said no and the rest, yes.