Mr. Speaker, I am quite pleased to answer the hon. member's request.
The national forum on health is meant to be an advisory body to the Prime Minister and to this government. However there is a place for the ministers of health both federally and provincially to discuss matters and to make decisions. There is also a place for premiers to meet, discuss and make decisions.
We certainly are not in any way wishing to take away the powers of the premiers as they meet and discuss issues nor do we want to take away the decision making process of the ministers of health.
The national forum on health will look at long term issues rather than the day to day occurrences within the health system and health. Remember, I am the Minister of Health, not just the minister of health care.