Madam Speaker, I would just like to respond to this motion and restate this government remains firmly committed to the Canada Health Act.
Bill C-28 strengthens the federal government's ability to enforce the Canada Health Act. This legislation guarantees that the cash portion of the Canada health and social transfer will never fall below $12.5 billion in each and every year over the next five years. That is an increase of $1.5 billion over the previous cash floor of $11 billion.
In other words, the bill before the House means there will be more cash to uphold the principles of the Canada Health Act. It responds directly to the recommendations by the national forum on health that CHST cash be set at $12.5 billion to sustain the principles of the Canada Health Act.
The member's motion recommends yet another annual report to examine the adequacy of the CHST cash and upholding the CHA. I would like to remind her that the Minister of Health is already required under the Canada Health Act to table an annual report on the administration of the act and provincial compliance with its conditions.
Quite frankly I think the last thing Canadians need is another report. Canadians asked us to take action and we have. We have taken real concrete action. Bill C-28 ensures that there is more cash to uphold the principles of this act, $1.5 billion each and every year. The first thing this government did was put back $1.5 billion as the fiscal environment changed, and we are well on our way as the Minister of Finance said back in February. We will continue to balance the books, we will continue to invest in Canadian priorities and we will continue to uphold the Canada Health Act.
I want to assure the hon. member that I certainly look forward to her interventions to help us ensure that Canadians receive the kind of health care they want within the fiscal means we have set and the conditions we have set forward. I am sure Canadians all across this country will continue to support this government as we continue to provide for them as we move into the next century.