The Quebec Minister of Health believes his federal counterpart could stir up sovereignist fervor in Quebec if Ottawa does not accept the province's conditions on new health transfers.
Less than 48 hours before a meeting between the provinces, territories and the federal government to discuss health transfers, Gaetan Barrette argued that Ottawa "would fuel resentment within the sovereignist [movement] and its new boss [Parti Quebecois leader Jean-François Lisée]," if it did not agree to Quebec's demands.
The Couillard government is pushing to stop any reductions in health transfers and to not have any conditions be put on payments to the provinces.
Last week, federal health minister Jane Philpot refused to increase health transfer by six per cent as the provinces had asked in a prior meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Philpott has however promised other budget lines will be dedicated to particular sectors.
Barrette categorically says restrictions on provincial payments may be seen as interference in Quebec's affairs by the federal government.
"If the federal government intends to supply the sovereignist camp with a new leader in Quebec, exactly what to do," he told The Canadian Press.
Health ministers from the provinces and territories will meet with Philpott on Monday in Toronto.