FREDERICTON – During a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week, Premier Brian Gallant said he raised concerns he has on the new Canada Health Transfer formula, asking for more help with seniors’ care.
Harper was in Miramichi Thursday announcing a federal payroll centre slated for northern New Brunswick.
“I was pleased to be able to meet with the Prime Minister to voice our concerns about some of the policies coming out of Ottawa and to suggest some ideas on how the federal government can help us with job creation,” Gallant said in a statement Monday.
The two discussed infrastructure investments, the Energy East pipeline, the Canada-European Trade Agreement (CETA) and immigration.
But, Gallant said he took time to raise “significant concerns” he has with the new formula for the Canada Health Transfer and its impact on smaller provinces.
“To compensate for some of those changes, we believe there should be a federal allocation for seniors’ care,” said Gallant.
“Seniors’ care and our aging population are among the fastest growing pressures on our province’s finances. It is crucial that the federal government play a role in helping us provide world class support for our seniors.”
Gallant said he also asked Harper to “come to the table with compensation” on Point Lepreau’s cost overruns.
He said he’s doubtful much will be done with the federal election looming, but is hoping some of these concerns will be addressed during the campaign.
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