Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.
One of the five principles of the Canada Health Act is accessibility. Traditionally this principle has been interpreted narrowly, that is, ensuring that health care is not denied for financial reasons.
The greatest barriers to health care today are the line-ups and waiting lists Canadians encounter when they require health care services.
Does the minister agree that accessibility for health care must be defined in terms of timeliness as well as affordability?