Mr. Speaker, I am sure you have shared this, because with your background as a lawyer you must have met a lot of people in your lifetime who really like to dish it out. They really like to put the knife into people. They just love it. However, when the opportunity comes for them to have to listen for a while, boy, they have a thin shell. They cannot take it. These people were in opposition for so long that they still have that tender shell around them. When they were on this side they said outlandish things. They made promises. To get elected they even promised to quit if the GST was not replaced. It still has not been replaced.
We are debating the organization of the Department of Health as if we do not have one. Canada does not have a Department of Health, ladies and gentlemen. We have to do something about it. We have to pass a bill fast to create a Department of Health. We have to do it quickly because it will bring in efficiencies, it will be effective and it will deliver services. That is important. Give me a break. We have a Department of Health and Canadians know it.
We have a system which is rupturing. It is breaking apart. What we have to do is find a way to help those people who need help in a way which is quick, effective and efficient. That will not be done by reducing the funds and saying to the provinces: "You guys handle it". The way to do it is to say to the provinces: "We know we are in a dilemma. We cannot give you as much money as we have been. We have to give you less. Are there ways you can still deliver the services? We will be flexible". The Prime Minister promised flexible federalism and the only things he is flexible about are his travel arrangements.
We have to let the provinces come up with suggestions and work with them. Will we still have the same health minister if there is a new Department of Health?