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REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says it’s not surprising that Quebec has pulled out of a national health-care committee set up by the provinces.

Nor will it hinder further progress, said Wall, who chairs the group with Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz.

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“As of late, Quebec has been more of a distraction at this table than a constructive partner,” Wall said Tuesday in an email released to The Canadian Press by his office.

“We have been making significant progress in areas like joint purchase of generic drugs, sharing best practices, bending health-care cost curves and improving patient care without a lot of input from Quebec.”

The premier was not available for further comment.

Quebec’s decision to pull out of the group was made public Monday. It had been quietly announced in a letter dated Jan. 11 and signed by Health Minister Rejean Hebert and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Alexandre Cloutier. Quebec said it intended to concentrate on its own priorities.