Finance Ministers Meet in Halifax

Nova Scotia Finance Minister Neil LeBlanc says health care and equalization will be top issues of discussion when provincial- territorial finance ministers meet in Halifax on Wednesday, June 25 and Thursday, June 26. Mr. LeBlanc is chair of the provincial- territorial finance ministers group this year.

The ministers are meeting to discuss the new funding partnership for health care that was established in February at a meeting of First Ministers. The new funding arrangements have raised the share of federal funding for provincial and territorial health expenditures, but have fallen short of the premiers' request for additional funding.

"This is a good first step," said Mr. LeBlanc. "Now it is time for the federal government to ensure the $2 billion funding for health care will be available to provinces and territories."

Mr. LeBlanc will also call for a strengthened equalization program that would ensure that provinces receive comparable levels of basic services. "With the equalization program due for renewal in April 2004, now is the time to be strengthening it," he said.

The finance ministers will also discuss tax competitiveness and the strength of the Canadian dollar in light of the continued weakness in the U.S. economy.

"By working with our counterparts on issues like sustaining health care and growing the economy, we are working towards building a stronger, more prosperous province," said Mr. LeBlanc.

The Atlantic finance ministers will meet on Wednesday afternoon, with the provincial and territorial meeting to follow. Mr. LeBlanc is pleased to host the finance ministers from all 10 provinces and three territories.