Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.
Apart from the public squabbling between the finance minister and his close personal friend, Brian Tobin, there is the question of the fundamental principles underlying the per capita equalization payments. It is an undeniable fact that the scheme to calculate transfers on a per capita basis would be devastating to Newfoundland and Labrador, a province which has lost 30,000 people in three years. Equality of transfers per person simply does not translate into equality of available services.
Will the minister guarantee us today that the additional funding will be made available to ensure the principles of the Canada Health Act are available for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians?