Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the federal Liberals are sowing confusion and dishonesty on health care.
The health minister spoke about what is allowed under the Canada Health Act, but the Prime Minister forced him to recant.
The Prime Minister said that he opposed chequebook medicine, but nobody is advocating that.
The Prime Minister said that he is not going to play politics with health care, but he is trying to demonize the Conservatives with false allegations.
The Prime Minister wants a mandate just to negotiate an unseen 10 year deal to save health care, but he has been neglecting the five year deal that is already on the table.
Canadians want clarity and honesty on health care. The Conservative Party of Canada is committed to universal public health insurance, regardless of ability to pay. We recognize that the issue is not delivery, but access.
We have endorsed last year's health accord as a good faith agreement to move forward on health reforms. The Conservative Party of Canada is prepared to make additional investments into health care, investments which are affordable and within a fiscal plan.
The Conservative Party will put the patient first. It is time for new leadership on health care.