Kevin Kinew, the newly appointed Premier of Manitoba, said his plan to improve the healthcare system and reduce wait times in his province could move forward without additional federal funding.

Kinew - who said he intends to form a government in the coming weeks - told CTV's question period host Vassy Kapelos in an interview aired on Sunday that the bilateral funding agreement between the federal government and Manitoba signed last February should take into account the changes he intends to make.

Furthermore, Kinew and the Manitoba New Democratic Party won enough seats to form a majority government after a campaign that focused heavily on healthcare. The incoming premier pledged to add 400 doctors over five years, 200 paramedics over four years, and 300 nurses over two years.

Kinew also said: “Of course, we will always ask that the federal government contribute its fair share when it comes to healthcare.” "And we know that the federal share of healthcare delivery has decreased over the past decades, so it is clear that we will continue to push for increased investment at the federal level."

He added: "But there can be no excuse for inaction at this time."

Provinces have long been calling on the federal government to increase funding through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) from 22% to 35% of healthcare costs, which would amount to approximately $28 billion in additional funding annually.

Also, in February, after months of negotiations, the federal government committed to increasing funding for provinces and territories by $196.1 billion over the next ten years, with $46.2 billion of new funding.

The proposal included increases in the amount budgeted to flow through the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as well as bilateral agreements that have since been signed with individual provinces and territories, although the offer was generally much less than what the premiers demanded.

Kinew said in his post-election conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week that he emphasized healthcare as his "top" priority.

Adding: "He laid out his priorities, but I rushed to say that healthcare is my priority." "I also shared with the Prime Minister my viewpoint that the federal government is the steward of the Canada Health Act, and therefore it is a very important player when it comes to ensuring universal access for all Canadians."

When asked whether improving wait times for Manitoba residents would involve private delivery, Kinew said "it's about finding a balance along this spectrum of different players," but the way to achieve that is "by respecting the principles of the Canada Health Act."

He also said: "And I firmly believe that the way we can reduce those wait times is by investing in the public system."

Health ministers from the provinces and territories are scheduled to meet with federal government officials, including Health Minister Mark Holland, this week.