Health-Care Decisions by Premiers Good for Nova Scotia

Premier Darrell Dexter said today, Jan. 17, the agreement by Canada's premiers to establish a Health Care Innovation Working Group and to continue to insist on discussions with the federal government on health-care funding is good news for Nova Scotia.

Earlier today, premiers at the Council of the Federation meetings in Victoria, B.C., announced the establishment of the group to lead a collaborative process focused on transformation and innovation of Canada's health care system.

"The concrete steps we're taking to drive work on the scope of practice, health human resources issues and clinical practice guidelines will help to ensure sustainable delivery of health-care services across the country," said Premier Dexter. "This is particularly crucial for Nova Scotia because of our aging population."

In addition, the premiers agreed to continue to insist the federal government begin a discussion on health funding.

Premier Dexter said that the premiers have two years to lay out the path forward for health care in Canada, as the current funding agreement does not expire until 2014.

Premier Dexter said he and his colleagues are united in their commitment to seniors, those waiting for surgeries and treatments, young families and everyone else who relies on Canada's health-care system.

Premier Dexter, who is looking forward to taking on the role of the chair of the Council of the Federation, will accept the working group's first report at the council's meeting in Halifax in July.

In addition, premiers agreed that Premier Dexter would lead a trade mission to China in fall 2012. Premiers also established a working group of provincial and territorial finance ministers who will assess the fiscal impact of the current federal fiscal proposals.

The council is comprised of all 13 provincial and territorial premiers.