Mr. Speaker, let me say that what we just heard from the member is exactly what Canadians do not want to hear. The Liberals are blaming everybody but themselves. They will not look at their own public policy and make a deliberation on what is important for Canadians and what is important for something as vital as medicare. That is number one.
Number two, I am glad the member raised the issue that we have heard in the last couple of days about not worrying about this budget because there might be more money on the table next year, depending on how much the provinces co-operate and what the needs are. If that is not evidence of damage control, I do not know what is. First we have this nonsense about fully restoring cash payments. Then they throw in the tax points. Then they say they are going to work on next year to see if there is more money down the road.
It is obvious that in actual fact the Liberals are embarrassed by the situation and find this budget totally lacking in terms of dealing with the health care crisis.
I suggest that the hon. member look very clearly at the whole issue of cash transfers. That is the glue that holds the health care system together. That is what is needed to hold the likes of Klein and Harris to account. He should look at the fact that with the little cash that has been thrown in with this budget the federal government's share of funding for health care is 15%. That is what matters. It is not all the other stuff they are wanting to use suddenly to deflect away from this issue, it is the cash and the transfers that the government cut in 1995.
The answer to the member's question is that the government should make an absolute and firm commitment to start fully restoring the cash transfers that it cut in 1995 and ensure that base on a sustained an ongoing basis. There should be none of this one time only, short term band-aid stuff that it is throwing out, ignoring the realities of the situation. That is absolutely critical.
I suggest that he look at the facts, which show that even with the increases cash transfers for health and education will still not be at the level they were in 1993-94. In fact, cash transfers will remain $3.3 billion lower than when the Liberals were elected.
It is absolutely clear that the federal government is not paying its fair share. The obligation, the responsibility, the mandate of the government is to be engaged in health care financing in a 50-50 partnership.