Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank all the witnesses for their sensitivity to vulnerable members of society. It's an issue that came up in many of the opening statements.
My first question is for Mr. Villeneuve, of the Canadian Nurses Association.
The House of Commons is currently debating a motion put forward by the Bloc Québécois. The motion reads as follows:
That the House:
(a) acknowledge the extraordinary work of health care workers (including doctors, nurses and orderlies) during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with seniors but also with the general public;
(b) recognize the courage and sacrifices required from them and their families in order to be on the front lines;
(c) highlight the work of Quebec and the provinces in responding to the health crisis and note the direct impact on their respective budgets; and
(d) call on the government to significantly and sustainably increase Canada health transfers before the end of 2020 in order to support the efforts of the governments of Quebec and the provinces, health care workers and the public.
On September 18, the provinces jointly called on the federal government to significantly increase funding to help cover the escalating costs of delivering health care, particularly as a result of the pandemic. They are requesting an increase of $28 billion, which would raise Ottawa's share of health care funding from 22% to 35%.
Mr. Villeneuve, if health care ceased to be underfunded, would that address the bulk of your recommendations?