Ottawa returns $10M in health transfers to Que., satisfied province toeing line on user fees

Two years ago, the federal government withheld $10 million in transfer payments to Quebec, saying the provincial government was charging patients extra fees to access health services in contravention of the Canadian Health Act. The federal health minister, Ginette Petitpas Taylor says she's satisfied with Quebec's decision to ban user fees and that it's not longer skirting the law. However, Quebec's health minister claims other provinces, like Saskatchewan, are charging user fees but aren't being punished. Petitpas Taylor adds the issue of user fees and reporting mechanisms will be discussed when she meets with her provincial counterparts.