Thank you, Mr. Chair.
When we look at the work of the parliamentary budget officer and the Conference Board, we realize that, despite the size of the current deficit in Ottawa, the public finances of the provinces are hardly sustainable. To restore balance to the situation, a major increase in funding for the health care system is required. This is the request of the Council of the Federation, so of all the provinces.
The Prime Minister said that he supported the idea, but wanted to take action only after the pandemic. Amendment BQ-5 seeks to ensure that work related to the meeting on the Canada health transfer, to which the Minister of Finance is inviting representatives of all the provinces no later than August 1, 2021, be started before that date.
We're experiencing a health crisis. The entire health care system is in crisis. We believe that better funding is urgently needed and must be provided now.