Ontario Premier Doug Ford says hiring more doctors and nurses will be the focus under a potential new health-care deal with the federal government in order to tackle the surgical backlog.
Premiers across Canada are scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Feb. 7 to discuss changes to the Canada Health Transfer.
The premiers want to see the Trudeau government cover 35 per cent of health-care funding, up from the present 22 per cent across Canada.
READ MORE: Trudeau, premiers to meet in Ottawa to discuss health-care deal
In an announcement Friday morning, Ford says he is confident they will reach a deal and that the new funds will be invested into long-term care and home care.
Trudeau says the health-care funding will also require sharing health data and outcomes for a national database.
Ford says he will agree to certain terms and Ontario will be accountable and transparent.
READ MORE: Top doctor warns Ontario to ‘remain vigilant’ as flu trends decline
