Lewis: Feds' health cash to provinces like Sask. should reward success

Canada could offer $50-million funding bonuses to a province like Saskatchewan for achieving reductions in the number of people without a family doctor.

The Constitution Act assigns responsibility for most health care to the provinces. To influence provincial systems, Ottawa must negotiate its role, where “negotiate” means “fork over the cash.”

In 2023, Ottawa sent $47 billion to the provinces and territories for health care, which covers about 21 per cent of their health budgets.

The game is pay to play, and for decades Ottawa has tried to master it. It’s a tough challenge. The provinces want unconditional transfers. Ottawa wants the money to make health care better and a share of the political credit.