CANADA'S PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES AWAIT FEDERAL 'ENGAGEMENT'

Canadian provincial and territorial health ministers are concerned in the wake of today's unilateral announcement by the federal government concerning $2.6 million to fund a wait time guarantee pilot project.

"Across the country, provincial and territorial governments are working hard and investing many millions of dollars to improve access for our children and for all Canadians," Saskatchewan Health Minister Len Taylor said on behalf of provincial and territorial governments. "If the Prime Minister and his health minister are serious about improving the lives of our children, we would welcome their support.

"We fully support timely access for children needing health care. However, this commitment of $2.6 million for a 'national' project will do very little for most Canadian children."

Taylor said provinces and territories will be sending a letter to federal health minister Tony Clement, seeking clarification on a number of questions raised by today's announcement, including whose responsibility it will be to implement, deliver and fund the enforcement of wait time guarantees. Constitutionally, planning and delivery of health services is the responsibility of provinces and territories. In its 2006 Budget, the federal government pledged to respect provincial and territorial autonomy in the areas for which they are responsible.

Taylor also noted that the progress achieved to date on wait times can only be maintained with sufficient dedicated funding. The $1.2 billion Wait Times Reduction Fund established in 2004 will decline to $600 million in 2008-09 and $250 million in 2009-10.

In its Throne Speech of April 2006, the federal government pledged to 'engage the provinces and territories on a patient wait times guarantee for medically necessary services'.

"While announcing its recent so-called 'wait time guarantee initiatives', this government has yet to engage Canada's provinces and territories in a single meaningful discussion about wait time initiatives and how we can work together to continue improving access to health care," Taylor said.

"We invite the federal health minister to consider that Canada's national government is not Canada's only government, and accept our invitation to honour its pledge of engagement."

The Province of Quebec, with its Asymmetrical Federalism agreement respecting jurisdiction, plans to issue its own statement concerning today's announcement.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joan Petrie Health Regina Phone: 306-787-4083 Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca