Thank you, Madam Chair.
When I hear Dr. Eyolfson's questions, I get the feeling that our report is going to be difficult to write. I find it rather unusual to be able to say that the provinces are entirely responsible because this falls under their jurisdiction and that the federal government suddenly doesn't want responsibility for what happens in health care. If the federal government wants to have a greater role in health care, it should also assume the accompanying responsibility. The current quotas in all faculties are enormous. The provinces aren't training enough doctors. The skills of internationally educated health professionals should absolutely be used and recognized. The problem has been around for 20 years, and it still hasn't been resolved.
The federal government implemented federal programs to try to resolve the issue in 2009–2010, and it still hasn't been done. The government even invested $115 million over five years in the 2022 budget, and the issue hasn't been resolved. When I ask people who come to meet us here, they either don't know the programs, or they can't tell us whether or not the money has been spent.
That said, I don't want to start an argument over jurisdictions today. Still, if there's a lack of resources, if more staff have to be trained, then there has to be more health transfers. The federal government didn't transfer the necessary money when it promised $4.6 billion a year over 10 years, while the provinces were united in asking for $28 billion a year. For Ontario, that would have meant an extra $8 billion per year in recurring funding to plug the holes and ensure more robust health care networks. If the federal government wants even more jurisdiction, it will one day also have to assume the responsibility that goes with it.
I'm going to ask the witnesses a quick question. Can they remember a single federal election in which health was such a big issue that it led to a federal government being ousted? Do either of the two witnesses remember that?