Ottawa must ensure the money it gives the provinces for health care is actually spent on health care, says Roy Romanow.

CTV News Staff

Ottawa must ensure the money it gives the provinces for health care is actually spent on health care, says Roy Romanow.

Lawn mowers are among the non-medical items the head of the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada said were bought with money from an equipment fund set up two years ago.

Romanow said in an interview Friday that Canadians are prepared to pay more for health care if they are sure the money will be properly spent.

"I believe Canadians are prepared to see more health spending, and if necessary to pay more for health, if they can be assured that the money that is supposed to be for health is actually being spent on health, not lawn mowers, and that any additional money added buys transformative change that delivers real improvements," The Globe and Mail quotes Romanow as saying.

Roman suggests he'll recommend that Canada Health Act be changed to force provinces to be more accountable for the money they receive from Ottawa.

The former Saskatchewan premier says he agrees with Auditor-General Sheila Fraser that the federal government can't be sure transfer payments are used for health care because the money isn't specifically earmarked.

"The health-care system was designed for and belongs to Canadians. They pay for it out of their pockets through taxes. And they have the right to know how those tax dollars are being spent, on what and with what results," said Romanow.

The Romanow commission report is scheduled for release at the end of this month. It follows a year of hearings and is expected to call for a large injection of cash into the health-care system.