Madam Speaker, there is no question that health care is the top priority for Canadians. As has been pointed out many times in the debate today, the government has restored the CHST cash and tax point transfers to the provinces to the same levels, and in fact a little higher than they were in 1993. That is significant. Not only have we done that absolutely, but we did it at a time when government spending is still $4 billion lower than it was in 1993. By that fact alone we have shown that we have identified health care.
Over the next couple of years there will be additional transfers. The $11.5 billion from the 1999 budget over five years, plus the additional amount that was identified in budget 2000, means that there will be $15.5 billion in each of the next four years. That is a 25% increase in just two years. Again, it is an indication of the commitment.
The member will well know that the transfers to the provinces are not colour coded and are not just for health. They are also for post-secondary education and social assistance. The member will also know that the provinces do not have to spend those dollars precisely on the areas in which they are given the money. In fact, if we take the example of Ontario alone, it had cuts in the CHST of some $800 million, but it turned around and gave a $4.3 billion tax cut. There are the priorities.
The member will also know that the National Forum on Health identified that there was probably over $11 billion of inefficient spending in the health care system, which is under the management of the provinces.
Given that we have balanced budgets for the current year as well as for the next two years and given the fact that the member says we should give more money to the provinces, could she tell the House where would that money come from the things which are provided for in this budget? How would she finance increased transfers for health?