Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank all of the witnesses for their insightful testimony. Their contributions will surely help us to make important recommendations.
Dr. Champagne, thank you for your presentation, which was very clear. It was so clear that it is chilling. What you are telling us is that over the next 10 years, there will be a 10% increased risk of mortality.
There is no medical care without diagnoses. Still, when it comes to cancer, the diagnosis must come in time. Screening is therefore crucial in the fight against this disease. Yet, currently, patients who do not have COVID-19 are bearing the brunt of this pandemic, just as patients who do have COVID-19.
However, we weren't talking about it much, we weren't talking about it enough. If we want to find solutions, we still need to have a diagnosis and a clear picture of the reality. What we understand from your testimony is that the pandemic has had two effects in terms of costs. First, it requires additional, one-time costs to address the pandemic, but it will also cause further increases in system costs because of undue delays and postponements.
The underfunding was there before the first wave. We are in the third wave, and there is no guarantee that there will not be a fourth.
Are you concerned? What should be done?