Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked a decade of remarkable social achievement in Canada.
On April 17, 1984 the Canada Health Act received royal assent, ensuring the availability of health care to all citizens.
Today we continue to cherish its five principles: universality, accessibility, portability, comprehensiveness and public administration.
Yet there is a need to control costs and still provide adequate funding, to enhance efficient and effective use of resources and to gain a broader understanding of the determinants of health.
Ten years ago a Liberal government triumphed over the dual threat of user fees and extra billing. Today, with the national forum on health chaired by the Prime Minister, this Liberal government shall triumph again and face new challenges with renewed vigour.
We shall succeed because we believe in the five principles of medicare. We shall succeed because medicare is a force for national unity. We shall succeed because Canadians want us to succeed.