CALVERT FOCUSSED ON BUILDING SUSTAINABLE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Building a sustainable health care system remains a priority for Premier Lorne Calvert as he meets with his counterparts in Toronto this week.

"When you step back and reflect on a long term vision for the future of medicare, it is clear to me that the medicare basket of services will have to be expanded to include pharmaceuticals, home care and mental health services," Calvert said. "It is reasonable and proper that all Canadians, regardless of income or where they reside in Canada, should have access to these services on the basis of need."

Calvert said that reducing waiting times for surgery, diagnostic procedures and enhanced community services is a top priority and will need to be a vital element of any agreement reached by First Ministers.

"Sustaining medicare and moving forward on this vision will require a meaningful funding relationship with the federal government. The national dimensions of medicare cannot be strengthened and sustained over the long term with the current level of federal transfers."

This week's two-day meeting with provincial Premiers and Territorial Leaders is in advance of the First Ministers' meeting to be held September 13th – 15th in Ottawa.

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For More Information, Contact:

Anna Arneson Government Relations Toronto Phone: (306)787-8007 Cell: (306)533-2168

Anna Willey Executive Council Toronto Phone: (306)787-2814 Cell: (306)536-5750