OTTAWA — Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod says the provinces and territories are pushing to make health care spending a priority when they sit down next month with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The premiers are scheduled to meet with Trudeau in two weeks to discuss climate change, but they also want to put federal health transfer payments on the agenda.
McLeod says the premiers are presenting a united front to oppose a Liberal plan to cut from six per cent to three the annual increase in health transfers the provinces get from Ottawa.
He says health care delivery is challenging in the North, especially because the population of his territory is spread out over a large swath of land.
McLeod says climate change is also a significant issue for the Northwest Territories.
He notes warmer temperatures have led to a series of changes, including a shifting tree line, significant impacts on the caribou population and problems with the territory's winter road network.
