Ontario Budget 2001 : BUDGET DELIVERS GREATER INVESTMENT, GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY TO HEALTH CARE
News Release |
 |
| Ministry of Finance Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1Y7 |
Ministère des Finances Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1Y7 |
For Immediate Release
May 9, 2001
BUDGET DELIVERS GREATER INVESTMENT, GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY TO HEALTH CARE
TORONTO - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty today promised greater accountability in the Province's health care system including introducing historic balanced budget legislation for hospitals.
"We must be accountable for every dollar we spend - whether it goes to a hospital, a doctor, a community care access centre, or any other health care provider. The people of Ontario have a right to know that they are getting value for the money we invest in health care. That not a penny is being misspent," Flaherty said.
Flaherty announced the Province would increase its investment in Ontario's health care services for the sixth year in a row, making good on the Mike Harris Government's Blueprint promise to increase health care spending by 20 per cent by 2003-04. With the increase in 2001-02, that commitment will be met two years ahead of schedule.
Flaherty said the government has invested almost $6 billion in health care since coming to office. "This year alone we are increasing health operating spending by $1.2 billion, or 5.4 per cent," Flaherty said. "This is comparable to the average increase of 5.3 per cent in all other provinces, excluding Alberta.
"In 1995-96, 38 cents of every dollar that we spent on programs went into health care. This year it will be 45 cents."
The Minister recognized Ontario's increased funding cannot be sustained at this rate. He called for leadership and reform on two fronts: first, the way the federal government funds health care; and second, actions to make the system work better.
Flaherty noted that the federal government needs to do more for health care in Ontario. "I call upon the federal government to provide its fair share - 50 per cent of all health care funding increases." Flaherty said. "It may be that the federal government does not feel the same urgency that we do. When your financial stake in the debate is less than 14 cents on the dollar, it may be easier to procrastinate," he said.
Flaherty said the provincial government must take a common-sense approach to health care. "We must be responsible and look at all options to help us get to our goal - reliable, high-quality health care."