Urging the federal government to restore adequate funding for health care was just one of the topics covered by Canada’s 13 premiers as they concluded a summer meeting in St. Andrews.
New Brunswick premier Brian Gallant, who chairs the Council of the Federation, says the leaders have also committed to reducing trade barriers between the provinces.
“We recognize that it will help increase the choices for consumers and drive some innovation. But more importantly, we recognize that it is a symbol for many Canadians that there are too many barriers for interprovincial trade,” Gallant says.
A Tracadie, New Brunswick man lost a lengthy battle this spring to buy cheap beer in Quebec when the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously decided to preserve the current cross-border trade rules.
The premiers also recognized there will likely be some bumps in the road when recreational cannabis is legalized this fall and have said creating greater public awareness will be important.
A national universal pharmacare program was also discussed around the table and the leaders have agreed that Ottawa will have to fund most – if not all – of such a program.
The premiers have called for a meeting with the prime minister this fall.