Again, the meeting was very well attended. The responses from both the federal and provincial governments clearly were something we haven't seen in a long, long time. The former Conservative government did not respond in that way.
And why I say that, and what's most important to recognize here, is that as we've been under a 2% cap, and as we've seen funding cuts over the last decade you will see a culmination of issues that have backed up. We've not done a full health economic assessment in terms of what's needed. That's clearly an area that this committee can help with, and endorse and move forward, because you will find that it's not only the systemic pieces, but there are some glaring areas that need immediate funding, as my colleague suggests.
I'll leave it at this, that what is also missing.... Again, we talk about the social determinants of health. Health is one file, but we can no longer deal with first nations health in silos. We can no longer expect that the ministry of infrastructure or economic development or education cannot have a fulsome discussion and dialogue, which first nations would be part of, in order to determine a framework for the social determinants of health. That's why I'm bringing forward to the committee today a framework that looks at the social determinants of health, a health and social policy framework.
The last thing I'll say is that, again, I'm bringing this to the committee because it's essential to ensure that we are effective, that we're economical, and that we're efficient with the time that's needed because people are dying today. This is why you will see a memo to cabinet come forward that speaks to the emergency health crisis of first nations, not just in this region, not just in Ontario, but across Canada.