The federal government will make even greater investments in health care, but not before a national plan is devised on how to make medicare sustainable for the generations to come.

March 26, 2004
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Ongoing health care needs must be addressed with long-term plan

The federal government will make even greater investments in health care, but not before a national plan is devised on how to make medicare sustainable for the generations to come.

“There will be more money for health care. The federal government will increase its share of the funding,” Martin told business and political leaders during a luncheon address.

“But to meet the expectations of Canadians we have to do more than simply increase the number of dollars we contribute. It’s time to look past the year-to-year scramble for short-term, stopgap solutions. We have to do things differently. We require an enduring plan and a sustainable solution.”

Budget 2004 confirms the government’s decision to transfer $2 billion to provinces and territories for health care. The budget also secured $665 million in new money over the next two years – and transferred another $400 million from Health Canada – to improve Canada’s readiness to deal with public health emergencies through a new Canada Public Health Agency.

Roy Romanow, who led the Commission on the Future of Health Care, came out in support of the budget, saying that adding to medicare without first establishing reforms to the system would be an unwise use of taxpayers’ money.

"I think that Mr. Martin has set out a very bold, positive vision for transforming, and by doing so, protecting our health-care plan, to make it even better than it is now," Romanow told reporters, following Martin’s speech.

"Funding is important, but as I've said, it's got to be tied to really meaningful change, and this is exactly what the Prime Minister seems to be talking about. I think Canadians will respond to that in a very positive way."

The prime minister said he fully agrees with this assessment.

“Using Roy Romanow’s work as our blueprint, and maintaining our commitment to publicly-funded, universal health care, I believe that we must increase confidence in the system itself – by reducing waiting lists, by expanding services and by delivering on the outcomes that Canadians are looking for,” said the prime minister.

Martin has agreed to sit down with First Ministers this summer to continue a coordinated approach to improving the system, which will build on recent health accords. The newly formed Health Council is already building bridges with provinces to come up with ideas and solutions for a renewed health care system.

“What we're looking for is transformative change, and a fix that will last for generations,” Martin told reporters after the speech.

“And I believe that we can do that with the provinces. I don't think that we're going to do it with one-offs. I think it's going to be only done when we sit down and roll up our sleeves, and really do what Roy Romanow said.”

• Address by Prime Minister Paul Martin on the occasion of his visit to Winnipeg, Manitoba