Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he hopes the provinces can reach a health–care deal with the federal government shortly after their meeting next week with the prime minister.

Ford echoed recent comments from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that a deal will not be signed at the meeting set for Feb. 7.

But Ford says they should be striking a deal on the Canada HealthTransfer “shortly thereafter,” because talks can’t drag on when all jurisdictions are feeling health–care pressures.

The premiers want to see Ottawa cover 35 percent of health–carecosts across the country, up from the current 22 percent.

Trudeau has said the funding will come with strings attached, including sharing health data and outcomes for a national database.

Ford has said he wants to use increased federal funding to hire more nurses and doctors, as well as help tackle the surgical backlog.