The federal government announced Feb. 7 that it would spend $198.6 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding, to improve health-care services across Canada. That includes an immediate $2-billion top-up to the Canada Health Transfer, the largest major federal transfer to the provinces and territories.
"Ottawa's proposal for the Territorial Health Investment Fund did not provide equitable support to Nunavut based on established needs," he wrote. Akeeagok said all three territorial premiers have written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling on the federal government to reconsider a proposal for that fund they presented in November. That would set the fund at $75 million per year with 50 per cent of funds going to Nunavut, 26 per cent to the Northwest Territories and 24 per cent to Yukon.
"Our government looks forward to working with the federal government to increase access to reliable health care for Nunavummiut," he said, adding he felt encouraged after a meeting with federal ministers earlier this month.