Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The pandemic has underscored the current state of health care in Canada. Health care institutions are overwhelmed. Massive gaps and shortfalls have been detected. The entire system is basically on the brink of collapse according to many in the medical world. Intensive care units are consistently filled with patients. Surgeries and procedures have been delayed, and staff are obviously very exhausted.
On February 4, Canada's premiers came together and called on the Prime Minister for help, requesting an unconditional $28-billion boost to health care transfers. Earlier last week in the finance committee and the weeks preceding, we uncovered $70 billion in new spending in this bill alone, yet none of it was for Canada health transfers.
Some economists were suggesting that any new spending should be directed at health care transfers because the times were not necessarily calling for spending on economic stimulus, and we met with several economists of varying opinions.
Considering there was $70 billion in new spending for this bill and economists are saying new spending should be directed towards health care transfers, was it ever discussed to make Canada health transfers part of this bill?
I'm looking for a yes or a no, and I'm fine with whoever can answer it.