VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The NDP is accusing the BC government of failing to represent the province's interests in health funding talks with Ottawa. Concerns are being raised as provincial finance ministers meet with their federal counterpart in Victoria this weekend.
New Democrat leader Adrian Dix is worried about suggestions by the federal government that health transfer payments to the provinces could stop rising by six per cent annually after 2016.
"Instead of fighting for our public health care system, the province of BC -- unlike other provinces -- seems to be pushing the federal party line, instead of defending the public health care system in BC," he argues.
There are suggestions Ottawa could tie their contribution increases beyond 2016 to economic growth. Dix feels that would put the province in a tough spot.
"The provincial taxpayer will have to pay more, or services will be cut at a time when I think seniors need access to those services. So either way this is bad news, unless the provincial government can step up."
Dix feels BC is trying to win political points with Ottawa rather than doing what's best for the province.