We are very pleased with what we saw with the introduction of Bill C-25 and the $4 billion one-time CHT top-up to address the backlog created by the first and second waves of the pandemic, but we know there are going to be higher costs. As I stated earlier, it is yet unknown what the true cost of the backlog will be from the first, second and third waves. We know that public health has been stretched by the pandemic and will need further support. As has been alluded to already, Canadians will have increased needs for mental health care as a result of the pandemic, and beyond that, whatever the needs are of COVID patients going forward.
Added to that is what we've mentioned, that there is no plan in budget 2021 to address the implementation and ramping up, if you will, of primary care access, which really is so critical to meeting all of those needs. That's a common thread throughout those issues. There will be increased costs going forward, and we very much look forward to being at those tables—and here I speak on behalf of the CMA—with the federal, provincial and all levels of government in discussing how those needs can be met going forward.