Skip to Main content

8.61°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

Mar 10, 2023 8:30 PM - The Canadian Press

Ottawa claws back $82M from health transfers to 8 provinces charging private fees

Share On

ottawa-claws-back-82m-from-health-transfers-to-8-provinces-charging-private-fees

Most of the deductions are related to fees for diagnostic services such as MRIs and CT scans. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says he is clawing $82 million in federal health transfers to the provinces for charging patients for services that should have been covered by the public purse.

Eight provinces will see reductions in their next health transfer from the federal government over fees charged to patients in 2020 and 2021.

Most of the deductions are related to fees for diagnostic services such as MRIs and CT scans.

The federal Liberal government enacted a new policy on diagnostic services in 2020 ensuring fees for such tests were covered by the Canada Health Act's single-payer policy.

The Canada Health Act allows the federal government to reduce health transfers when provinces charge user fees for medically necessary health services.

Duclos has also written to every province and territory to warn them about an increase in private fees being charged for other services, including virtual patient visits.

Latest news

lorne-doerkson-pleased-with-carney-governments-budget-hopes-b-c-will-receive-major-funding

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has voiced support for the federal budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government, calling it encouraging for Canada’s economic future. The budget includes $6.5 billion in funding to support the forestry industry, which has been hit hard by U.S. tariffs. Doerkson expressed hope that British Columbia would receive a significant share of the funding, noting that the forestry sector is a major pillar of the province’s economy. Former B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar also welcomed the funding, describing it as a good start. He said

canadas-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-7-highest-level-in-six-months

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 per cent in October, reaching its highest level in six months, according to the latest data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. Economists had expected the economy to add 13,600 jobs overall. However, instead of gaining jobs, Canada recorded a net loss of 4,700 positions last month. The decline was primarily driven by the private sector, which shed 53,000 jobs, marking its first major drop since February. Meanwhile, public-sector employment increased by 50,000 positions, while the construction industry added 16,000 jobs, helping offset some of t

AlbertaNov 06, 2026

Alberta Referendum Cost Nearly $84 Million, Elections Alberta Seeks Additional $59 Million

Elections Alberta has estimated the total cost of last month's referendum at nearly $84 million. The agency has requested more than $59 million in additional funding from the provincial government to cover expenses already incurred and upcoming work. Of the requested amount, approximately $49 million is intended to cover costs related to the October referendum, which have already been incurred. The vote set new records for advance voting, special ballots and voter turnout. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure told a committee that manually counting 10 ballot papers for each voter placed sign

canada-raises-deposit-insurance-limit-from-100-000-to-250-000

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada Raises Deposit Insurance Limit from $100,000 to $250,000

The federal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an increase in the deposit insurance limit, raising the amount of money protected in Canadians’ bank accounts from $100,000 to $250,000. Under a new proposal introduced as part of Budget 2026, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) coverage limit will increase by $150,000. This marks the first increase in the deposit insurance limit in nearly 20 years. CDIC insurance guarantees that eligible deposits held at member financial institutions are protected up to a specified limit in the event of a bank failure. The co

poilievre-accuses-carney-government-of-misleading-canadians-over-immigration-targets

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Poilievre Accuses Carney Government of Misleading Canadians Over Immigration Targets

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Mark Carney over the federal government's new immigration plan, accusing the Liberals of manipulating figures to make it appear that immigration is under control. Poilievre alleged that the government is misleading Canadians, arguing that the new immigration targets remain among the highest in Canadian history. He said Carney is describing immigration levels as stable, but in reality, the government's mass immigration plan is protecting the profits of large corporations at the expense of Canadian families, inclu

Related News

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has voiced support for the federal budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government, calling it encouraging for Canada’s economic future. The budget includes $6.5 billion in funding to support the forestry industry, which has been hit hard by U.S. tariffs. Doerkson expressed hope that British Columbia would receive a significant share of the funding, noting that the forestry sector is a major pillar of the province’s economy. Former B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar also welcomed the funding, describing it as a good start. He said

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 per cent in October, reaching its highest level in six months, according to the latest data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. Economists had expected the economy to add 13,600 jobs overall. However, instead of gaining jobs, Canada recorded a net loss of 4,700 positions last month. The decline was primarily driven by the private sector, which shed 53,000 jobs, marking its first major drop since February. Meanwhile, public-sector employment increased by 50,000 positions, while the construction industry added 16,000 jobs, helping offset some of t

Canada Raises Deposit Insurance Limit from $100,000 to $250,000

Canada Raises Deposit Insurance Limit from $100,000 to $250,000

The federal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an increase in the deposit insurance limit, raising the amount of money protected in Canadians’ bank accounts from $100,000 to $250,000. Under a new proposal introduced as part of Budget 2026, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) coverage limit will increase by $150,000. This marks the first increase in the deposit insurance limit in nearly 20 years. CDIC insurance guarantees that eligible deposits held at member financial institutions are protected up to a specified limit in the event of a bank failure. The co

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital