OTTAWA — Health ministers from the rapidly aging Atlantic Canada region say the future formula for federal health transfers should take into account how many people in each province have entered their golden years.

The prickly debate over federal health transfers has been quiet in recent years, but has begun to resurface with the current funding formula set to expire at the end of the fiscal year. It's expected to be a dominant topic at the meeting of provincial and territorial premiers beginning Wednesday in Whitehorse.

As provinces negotiate a new deal with the federal government, premiers have called on Ottawa to cover at least 25 per cent of their health costs. Many say the level is already well below that mark.

But even an agreement among provinces on funding could be a challenge because of demographic differences.

Atlantic Canada aging faster: Boudreau

New Brunswick Health Minister Victor Boudreau said smaller populations in Atlantic Canada are aging faster than other regions, which adds to health-care costs.

"It's not unique to us, but it certainly is something that is affecting us and is going to affect us sooner and harder than anybody else," Boudreau said in an interview before the start of the Council of the Federation meetings.

"(In) some of the younger, populated provinces for example, the demographic argument is not one that they necessarily support with open arms. So, again, every province has its particular challenges."

Newfoundland and Labrador's health minister warned a straight per-capita funding formula would hit Atlantic Canada "fairly hard."

"I think there's general agreement, certainly on the eastern side of the country, that age needs to be a factor in weighting those payments," John Haggie said in an interview before the meetings.