Mr. Speaker, we have heard an eloquent plea on behalf of our health care system which is dear to every Canadian. It is the one program we have that is universal.
In spite of the difficulties we have faced, last year we increased by $1.5 billion the cash floor for transfers under the CHST going to health care. We have ensured that over the next five years an additional $6 billion will go into this area of provincial jurisdiction.
The principles of the Canada Health Act are very important to Canadians. That is why we are not going to sacrifice, as the Reform Party would have us do, the five essential principles of the Canada Health Act. We will defend those principles in every way possible. Canadians do not have to worry about that. We are not a Reform government.