The premiers of Ontario and Quebec are calling on the federal government to commit to a significant increase in health-care transfers to the provinces.

At a summit, Both Premier Doug Ford and Quebec’s Francois Legault say the increase is needed because the pandemic has amplified existing pressures on provincial health-care systems.

The Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli says improved broadband access is another key concern the two provinces have.

“We saw through the pandemic the importance of how important broadband was. Especially for those areas that don’t have good access. I’m thinking of Northern Quebec and Northern Ontario,” he says.

Fedeli says the provinces combined make up 60 % of the population in Canada so there’s regional issues they can work on together.

“The critical mining structure for Cobalt, Nickel, Graphite and Lithium for electronic vehicle batteries. That’s something we can work on together for the future,” Fedeli says.

Fedeli says they also talked about COVID-19 and lessons learned in both provinces.
He says they also agreed to work together to ensure Ottawa has a clear plan on the safe reopening of the Canada-U-S border before any restrictions are relaxed.

The two day summit has wrapped up. Fedeli says it’ll be an annual event.

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: summit, Vic Fedeli