Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.
Provincial and territorial finance ministers are meeting as we speak. They are calling on the government for the full restoration of federal transfer payments for health and education. The premiers have already done the same.
Canadians have said time and time again that health care is their first priority. They know that at 12% or less federal funding, we will not be able to ensure medicare for very long into the millennium.
Can we count on the government to do the right thing and ensure the full restoration of the Canada health and social transfer in the next federal budget?