Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Instead of focusing on emotions, I will stick to facts and figures.
Ms. Reid, I very much enjoyed your presentation. I must tell you that, for the past 30 years, one of the areas I have been personally interested in is the public health system, its impacts and related costs. One thing I'm particularly interested in and that I found very interesting in your presentation is that, when we talk about social determinants of health, in reality, factors like housing situations, adequate nutrition and so on account for 50% of a person's health status and that it is income that has the most impact in that regard.
I would like to bring another point up with you, and I will tell you that my question will be fairly difficult.
Let's agree that Canada's current universal health care system has been the victim of significant neglect, particularly at the federal level. In fact, the initial agreement in the 1960s stated that the federal government would cover half the costs. It has dropped significantly since then.
Could you please comment on the fact that this may be affecting health care coverage for the less fortunate and inequality among the provinces, since some of them are in a much better position to support their health care system, despite the neglect at the federal level?