Inuvik (July 16/04) - Western Premiers agreed that this was a "crucial hour" for the issue of health care in the nation.

Meeting in Inuvik last week, premiers from the four Western provinces and three territories agreed that while they support the Canada Health Act, amendments are necessary.

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert takes a ride on the blanket toss at the Western Premiers Conference Thursday. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"The federal government needs to recognize that delivery of services in remote communities is more expensive," said NWT Premier Joe Handley.

Reiterating Handley's comments was Alberta Premier Ralph Klein.

"This is not a one-size-fits all," he said. "Delivery of services must be flexible to the needs of the constituency which it services."

According to NWT health minister Michael Miltenberger, the territory spends nearly $250 million a year on meeting the health care needs of the territory's residents.

However, he says, the federal government's directive on how the money is spent often puts a strain on funding other programs and services not prioritized by Ottawa.

"We are also focusing on preventative measures as well," he said, pointing to the territory's anti-tobacco campaign and recent birthing legislation that will license midwifery practice in the North.

"If we continue the way we're going, potential health problems that could've been mitigated will drive (the cost of) health care through the roof. The budget could double and I could still spend it in a year," said Miltenberger.

Though the federal government granted the NWT $20 million last year in additional funding to be spent over five years, the GNWT's belt-tightening measures to control spending will cut this year's health budget by $5 million.

"The annual funding we have is not enough and we're running a deficit (in this department)," said Miltenberger.

Aboriginal health issues

Regional Chief of the NWT for the Assembly of First Nations Bill Erasmus was part of a delegation of aboriginal leaders who met with the premiers to discuss health issues of First Nations.

Echoing the words of Klein and Handley, Erasmus says that more control over spending on aboriginal health, rather than more money, is the answer.

"An enormous amount of money, nearly $1 billion, is being spent on aboriginal health care each year," he said. "We're not concerned that we need more money, but more say in the allocation of those funds."

Erasmus cited an example of a man with dental concerns from a remote community having to make several trips back and forth to Yellowknife to deal with his ailment.

"The Six-Nations in Akwasasnee, for example, have cut costs in this area by bringing dentists right to the reserves," he said. "It's programs such as this that the North should be looking at implementing."

Support for devolution

In a show of support for Nunavut's and the Northwest Territories' efforts to reach a devolution arrangement with Ottawa, all premiers signed an open letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin supporting the two territories.

Both Nunavut and the NWT want to reach a deal with Ottawa to gain province-like control over their natural resources and the revenue garnered from those.

"I don't want to talk numbers right now, but certainly we'd be looking at something close to a 30 per cent (take on resource royalties)," said Handley while leaving the Thursday press conference.