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April 28, 1997
(Health)


The following statement was issued today by Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Health. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I too wish to recognize the move by the federal government today to increase the cash floor of the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) from $11 billion to $12.5 billion. The extra $66 million dollars it will mean for this province from 1998-99 to 2000-01 is significant and is evidence of the federal government's understanding of the need for more funding in the areas of health, education and social services.

I rise today to inform honourable members that on Thursday of this week, I will provide details of the Health Care Forum announced by the premier last week. We recognize the strain on the province's health care system, and we know there are some specific areas which require our immediate attention. While money is not the only answer to our problems in health care, the extra CHST funding will provide some flexibility for government as we determine our priorities, not only in the health sector, but in education and social services as well.

The need for this forum has become all the more urgent in light of today's announcement. While government has shown its commitment to health care by providing funding for rural doctors, new equipment and hospitals, among other things, new monies are difficult to obtain. This announcement by the federal government today is good news for the province. As the Finance Minister said, we will determine where this money can be spent most responsibly to best serve the people of this province.

1997 04 28 2:10 p.m.

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