Ontario concerned over federal health-care funding timeline

Ontario’s premier and health minister says there is no doubt that the province will accept new federal government spending and investments on health care, but there are concerns about the timeline of the funding.

The federal government announced yesterday $46.2 billion in new spending on top of funds already budgeted, including an additional $17 billion over 10 years in increases to the Canada Health Transfer.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones spoke in Etobicoke this morning, announcing the province’s plan to connect more residents with healthcare at home, and mentioned the funding announcement.

The province says work is underway to provide faster and more convenient access to care residents need such as caregiver supports and respite services, bereavement and behavioural programs, and assisted living services for people with brain injuries.

WATCH: Minister of Health to provide remarks in Etobicoke at 10 a.m.

Jones, along with Premier Doug Ford, are set to meet federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc tomorrow in Toronto to discuss the details of proposed new money.

Ford and Jones appear prepared to accept the funding even though it’s far less than the premiers were seeking.

The pair had been asking Ottawa to increase the Canada Health Transfer to provinces by $28 billion a year.

Jones expressed concerns over the projected timeline of the funding, saying that new money in five- or 10-year increments doesn’t offer enough stability for the province to plan long-term projects.