Adrian Lam / Postmedia News files

Canada's premiers will discuss two new reports to be presented to them at the meeting from a joint probe that examined ways to improve patient care, find better value in the $130-billion health care system, and determine the impacts of a new federal health funding plan.

OTTAWA Canadas 13 provincial and territorial leaders gather in Halifax this week for what could be one of the most important premiers meetings in years, with the controversial new federal health funding deal, efforts to trim medical costs and a pan-Canadian energy strategy expected to dominate discussion.

Hosted by Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, the Council of the Federation meeting comes at a critical time for federal-provincial relations. The new federal health accord which was dropped in the provinces laps last winter natural resource development and equalization are all thorny issues facing Canadas premiers.

The leaders are concerned also that new federal tough-on-crime legislation could download additional costs to the provinces, while looming international trade deals could see provincial drug costs soar.

Several premiers also insist Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a constitutional responsibility to consult more regularly with the provinces and should hold a long-overdue first ministers meeting.

But health care is expected to top the agenda. Premiers will discuss two new reports to be presented to them at the meeting from a joint probe that examined ways to improve patient care, find better value in the $130-billion health care system, and determine the impacts of a new federal health funding plan.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz co-chaired a health-care innovation working group of health ministers that will report back on how the provinces can deliver better care and save dollars at the same time.

We have some real specifics to present to the premiers, Wall said in an interview with Postmedia News, adding premiers are tired of broad road maps and want real solutions.

Youre going to see in our recommendations that theyre not driven by costs. In fact, theyre driven by better value and better care, and the two things can live together with greater fiscal efficiency in the health-care system. Thats what were finding.

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Health care set to dominate talk at premiers’ summit