Madam Speaker, the hon. member has said that the top priority for Canadians was reinvestment in transfers to the provinces. I believe I should correct her by saying that the top priority for Canadians is reinvestment in health services.
She also asked why we in the federal government are not investing in health services, now that there is a balanced budget, or why we are not giving more to the provinces. I would like to point out to her what has already been done. I would like to remind her that the first time we had the opportunity to do so, in 1998, we did indeed invest an additional $1.5 billion in health services, via transfers to the provinces.
In 1996 as well, we invested $65 million, very little, but let us not forget that was in 1996.
In 1997, we invested $800 million in the Canadian Foundation for Innovation,; $150 million in the health services adjustment fund, $100,000 in community action programs for child nutrition; $47 million for the networks of centres of excellence.
In 1998, we invested $7 billion for the CHST cash floors; $375 million for student and caregiver tax credits; $211 million for HIV research; $200 million for deductions of workers' health insurance premiums; I could go on.
If we are to invest again in services and transfers to the provinces, does she commit to this money being spent on education or health as planned?