Flaherty betrayed Ontario, broke promise on health transfers: health minister

TORONTO – Ontario’s health minister says the federal government has betrayed Canada’s most populous province by breaking its promise over health-care funding.

Deb Matthews says the Conservatives promised to a six per cent increase in health transfers, but are only giving Ontario half of that.

She says that means Ontario is out $300 million, while Alberta is getting a 38 per cent increase.

Matthews says it’s a devastating blow to Ontario, which is grappling with rising health-care costs as its population ages.

She says she’s trying to cut costs, but the Harper Tories appear to be balancing their budget on the backs of Ontario patients.

Ottawa is cutting $641 million in transfer payments to Ontario — the only province that will see fewer federal dollars in 2014-15.