NLIS 7
November 22, 2002
(Executive Council)

Premiers discuss action on issues of mutual concern

Improving health care, equalization, climate change, and regional cooperation were the main topics of discussion at the Council of Atlantic Premiers� meeting held today in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

The Atlantic premiers agreed on a number of national and regional issues including:

• a joint position statement on improving health care;
  
• the need for the federal government to return to a full funding partnership with provinces and territories to ensure sustainable health care services across Canada;
  
• the requirement for a strengthened equalization program;
  
• a call for federal collaboration with provinces and territories on climate change; and,
  
• a commitment to continue their aggressive approach to regional cooperation designed to improve public services and reduce barriers to business within the region.

Improving Health Care
Atlantic premiers agreed that health is the top priority of Atlantic Canadians. Premiers Lord, Grimes, Hamm and Binns developed a joint position statement on improving health care. The four premiers agreed to move forward with this common position to the First Ministers� Meeting on Health.

All premiers called on the federal government to become a more meaningful funding partner in health care. Atlantic premiers will advocate a new funding partnership between the federal government and provinces at the upcoming First Ministers� Meeting (FMM) on Health to be held early in the new year.

Atlantic provinces continue to lead in interprovincial cooperation in the delivery of health care services.

Fiscal Arrangements
Atlantic premiers were encouraged by the recent Speech from the Throne that committed the Prime Minister to meet with all premiers to establish a comprehensive plan for health care reform, including new federal investments, to be included in the next federal budget. They called again on the federal government to strengthen Equalization so that it meets the constitutional commitment to ensure that provinces are able to provide reasonably comparable services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation. Premiers have been encouraged by growing consensus on the need for a strengthened Equalization program as called for in the Senate Finance Committee Report (March 2002), the Conference Board of Canada Study: "Fiscal Prospects for the Federal and Provincial/Territorial Governments," as well as Commissioner Roy Romanow�s recent Winnipeg speech on the future of health care in Canada.

Atlantic premiers advocate the Equalization program be strengthened through the immediate elimination of the ceiling, the development of a ten-province standard and broadened revenue coverage.

The four Atlantic premiers noted that the increased federal investment in health care must be structured to meet the needs and priorities of Canadians regardless of where they live.

Climate Change
Climate change is a serious global issue that requires leadership, collective and sustained long-term action to reduce Canada�s greenhouse gas emissions. All Atlantic premiers are committed to addressing climate change and are signatories to the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers� regional climate change action plan at the 2001 Conference, held in Westbrook, Connecticut.

Premiers expressed their ongoing concern with the current inadequacies of the federal government�s greenhouse gas reduction plan.

The Atlantic premiers called on the federal government to collaborate with provinces prior to ratification of the Kyoto Protocol based on the twelve principles set out by provinces on October 28, 2002, in Halifax. Premiers specifically noted that Canada�s approach to addressing climate change must ensure that no region or jurisdiction is asked to bear an unreasonable burden and economic competitiveness is not compromised.

Regional Cooperation
In November 2001, the four Atlantic premiers adopted an action plan for regional cooperation. Following up on their commitment to public accountability, the premiers today released Working for Atlantic Canada: An Action Plan for Regional Cooperation, Report on Year One.

The report highlights activities undertaken by the Atlantic provinces during the past year. The premiers noted that tangible results have been achieved in the priority areas of health, education and transportation. Notable among these achievements are:

• literacy projects focusing on young children;
  
• an agreement fostering greater sharing of resources amongst the region�s community colleges;
  
• establishment of a common drug review process that reduces duplication and produces consistent high quality reviews;
  
• ongoing harmonization of trucking regulation; and,
  
• the development of a strategy for the deployment of intelligent transportation system technologies.

Status reports on projects with multi-year work plans are included in the Report on Year One. The Atlantic provinces agreed to continue to pursue regional benefits in the areas of health human resource planning, energy regulation, on-line service delivery, post-secondary education, research and innovation, immigration, regional air service levels, and local access to equity capital funding.

Atlantic premiers agreed to begin work on a joint Atlantic wellness strategy and campaign to promote healthy living.

Commonwealth Games
Atlantic premiers endorsed Halifax�s bid to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The premiers recognized the regional economic and social benefits of this event, which is among the world�s largest sporting and cultural festivals.

Report on Year One (pdf)

Media contact:

V�ronique Mercier-Dickens, New Brunswick (506) 453-2144
Carl Cooper, Newfoundland & Labrador (709) 729-3960
Rob Batherson, Nova Scotia (902) 424-6601
Patrick Dorsey, Prince Edward Island (902) 368-4400

The Atlantic premiers reaffirm the call of all premiers made at the 2002 Halifax Annual Premiers� Conference for a new federal-provincial funding partnership to revitalize and sustain health care for all Canadians.

The federal government must fund the Canada Health Act if it wants to defend it.

It is imperative that the federal government work in partnership with the provinces and territories to ensure a sustainable health system in the future.

1. Fiscal arrangements
Additional and stable federal funding is required to sustain all aspects of the health care system. Any new federal dollars must ensure adequate support of ongoing core health services before funding any programs that do not currently exist.

Given interprovincial fiscal disparities, as well as fiscal challenges facing several provinces, it would be inappropriate for the federal government to propose utilizing a cost-sharing model to induce provinces to expand health services.

Continue to support the consensus position of premiers as stated at the APC 2001 and confirmed at subsequent meetings of premiers:

"A call on the Prime Minister to join them in following through on his commitment to achieve adequate and sustainable fiscal arrangements over the immediate to medium term, including:

• immediate removal of the Equalization ceiling;
  
• immediate work on the development of a strengthened and fairer Equalization program formula, including as one possible alternative, a ten-province standard that recognizes the volatility around resource revenues, and comprehensive revenue coverage;
  
• restoration of federal health funding through the CHST to at least 18 per cent and introduction of an appropriate escalator; and
  
• work on other measures, including tax point transfers as one possible alternative to the current CHST transfer."

2. Role of the Private Sector
The Atlantic premiers call on the federal and provincial governments to work together to encourage more effective delivery of publicly funded health care services that are consistent with the five principles of the Canada Health Act and allow innovation from both the private and public sectors.

3. Canada Health Act
The Atlantic premiers support the Canada Health Act and its renewal to reflect the changing circumstances of health care.

If there is an expansion of services covered by the Canada Health Act, then it must be supported by adequate and sustainable federal funding.

4. Health Human Resources
The Atlantic premiers support the consensus of all premiers for enhanced planning and interprovincial cooperation in training and recruiting health professionals to ensure that there is an adequate supply in all provinces and territories.

5. IT � Health infostructure
Support the need for targeted federal funding to sustain existing levels of IT investments and the development of health infostructure.

6. Funding for primary care reform
Federal funding is required to allow provinces to accelerate their efforts in reforming the delivery of primary care to achieve service improvements and efficiencies, while accommodating unique conditions in each province and territory.

7. Expanded Coverage
Additional funds should focus first on core services already provided. Coverage of additional health services must come with a guarantee that they will be supported with adequate and sustainable federal funding.

Areas where expansion can be explored include pharmacare and home care.

8. Accountability and Partnership
The Atlantic premiers accepted the accountabilities for health care funding that were agreed to at the First Ministers� Meeting in September 2000. These included applying for support from the primary health care fund for specific projects, spending funds from the medical equipment fund on medical equipment, and reporting on health care indicators.

The Atlantic premiers agree that accountability for health delivery and health spending is important but believe that accountability lies first and foremost with being accountable to the public, not the federal government.

9. National Wellness Strategy
The Atlantic premiers call for a national wellness strategy to be developed with the cooperation of all provinces and territories.

2002 11 22                                        2:25 p.m.