Healthcare was one of the main topics of discussion when the western premiers met in Regina Friday for their first in-person gathering since the start of the pandemic. BC Premier John Horgan and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe met with the media prior to the meetings with the two highlighting their request for the federal government to boost their funding share of the Canada Health Transfer to 35 per cent from the current 22 per cent.

Premier Scott Moe said the request will ensure healthcare services are sustainable in the years to come. “Services like reducing our surgical wait times, expanding our diagnostics, expanding and sustaining our health care access,”. Moe added “Our access to medical health professionals. It also provides us with the opportunity to have a fulsome discussion about areas of healthcare where we can expand.”

After the pandemic put a strain on the healthcare system and its workers, BC Premier John Horgan said that it’s to invest in the system. “Now is the time for us to back to the system and say, we are going to rejuvenate it. We are going to bring forward new initiatives on human resource development so we can have more care providers for the challenges of an aging population. Now is the time for a new vision for healthcare in Canada.”

Alberta’s Premier, Jason Kenny touched on the cost of living and energy security. He says, “Western Canada can be a huge part of the solution to the global challenge of energy poverty and unaffordable cost of living by developing more of our responsibly produced resources.” Kenny notes that it would require government policy for its development and shipment.

Friday’s discussions included the premiers of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. (with files from CKRM)