Mr. Speaker, today we are debating a motion on health care that has everything to do with jurisdiction.
The Bloc Quebecois does not want the federal government to touch anything that is under provincial jurisdiction, and I agree with this. It also says that the budget surplus should not be used in the area of health care. I think this motion shows the huge gap that separates the Liberal Party from the Bloc Quebecois.
Jurisdictional issues are important indeed. There is no denying that. We have a constitution that must be respected. However, we should make it our top priority to explore every possible avenue to find common solutions to problems in areas of shared jurisdiction, as is the case here.
In fact, it is clear that the federal government has jurisdiction over everything that has to do with social programs. Under the Canada Health Act, the federal government is responsible for the application of the five basic principles adopted by this House.
I am amazed that we are here today, talking once again about the Constitution and whether or not surpluses should go to health care, instead of looking together for common solutions to help patients who are waiting days and days for a hospital bed.
My vision of public service is that people and their concerns are much more important than the endless jurisdictional quarrels that are the delight of the Bloc, that are its raison d'être, that are the reason why these people defending Quebec's sovereignty come to Ottawa. They love discussing the Constitution and jurisdictional matters, instead of talking about—