OTTAWA - A pair of provincial finance ministers say they are feeling optimistic that the federation is close to striking a long-awaited deal with Ottawa on a new health-care funding framework.
The Trudeau government is set to meet Monday with the provinces and territories to hash out a new health accord and funding formula.
So far, the two sides have appeared to be many billions of dollars apart.
But Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao says that despite differences, he expects an agreement Monday because enough time has been spent discussing the issue -- and he says he would be hugely disappointed if a deal doesn't come together.
Saskatchewan's Kevin Doherty says he thinks the fact the federal Liberals invited the health ministers to fly all the way to Ottawa must mean they're prepared to budge from their position and listen to other ideas.
Provinces and territories have said they fear they will be short-changed if Ottawa follows through and allows the annual six per cent increase in health transfers to expire as scheduled.
