Thank you, Madam Chair.
First of all, under this government we've increased transfers to the provinces and territories for health care by 6% again this year, which the member voted against.
The other point is that we've also transferred an increased budget for the delivery of health care to first nations communities, which was in the budget and which the member, again, voted against.
In terms of the question related to the remote communities, I know full well what it's like to live in a remote community, and there are some inaccuracies in the picture you paint. In terms of the stores, there are supplies in the stores in remote communities, Tylenol and so on.
That being said, I want to commend the communities--first nations communities, as well as the mayors in most communities--who have gone out of their way to communicate with their residents on H1N1. It takes a lot of work, dialogue, and partnering with communities to get that information out.
I also want to commend the communities that are fundraising to assist people who may not be able to afford to purchase hand soap. As individual citizens we purchase hand soap. Does the health care insurance program provide a bar of soap? That's a question we need to ask.
In terms of providing communities with the medical supplies needed to respond to H1N1, the nursing stations in every community are equipped to respond to H1N1. The question was about this kit. I have no idea what's in the kit. Even in terms of whether what's in the kit is effective, again, we can't respond because we don't know what's in the kit, nor were we consulted when that decision was being made.
Thank you.