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Premiers support Okalik in health-care fight

Seeks funding for aboriginal people not living on reserves

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

Premier Paul Okalik received the endorsement he was looking for during last week’s meeting of provincial and territorial leaders in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The premiers met to discuss the progress made in health care since their last meeting in August 2001, and to provide a united front to the federal government on the urgency of extra cash.

Okalik spoke of his concerns that the federal government’s promise of increased funding for aboriginal health care is directed only to children living on reserves. "We weren’t pleased that it was limited only to reserves," he said after the conference, which wrapped up last Friday. "There are other aboriginals not on reserves."

Though the funding was promised during last year’s Speech from the Throne, the federal government has yet to dole out any cash.

In his closing comments, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell said, "Even though in the recent budget additional funding was identified for aboriginal health issues such as fetal alcohol syndrome, the allocated funds are restricted to aboriginal children living on reserves. We believe it’s critical that aboriginal health care be properly funded and properly delivered by the federal government in each of our provinces."

Though Campbell didn’t mention the country’s three territories in his speech, Okalik was pleased. "I had good support for my issues," he said.

"As long as our residents get the care they deserve, I’m very pleased by the outcome."

The premiers also agreed to create a province- and territory-wide information-sharing service to provide Canadians with facts about health care. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein was put in charge of creating a dispute-resolution body with federal minister of health, Anne McLellan.

In addition, the leaders said they will work together to establish a common process for approving brand-name and generic drugs and determining cost-effectiveness. They will also create a network to share technology and skills.

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