Madam Speaker, I listened with great interest to the member opposite. He had quite a few things to say which pertained to health care in this great country of ours.
I want to note, though, that in the year 2000-01 the cash and tax point transfers for health will be $31 billion. That is an all time high. I invite the hon. member, who is quite well versed in issues of health, to recheck the facts, recheck the budget documents, and take a look at exactly and precisely the kind of money that not only other provinces will be getting but Quebec as well. Perhaps he could then advise Madam Marois of the good things that the federal government is doing in this very important area.
He should encourage the health minister for Quebec to come to the main meeting with the Minister of Health at the federal level and his provincial counterparts to see what can be done over the long term. The finance minister's budget has ensured that there will be a short term injection of money into the all-important health care system, but the main meeting will be crucial in terms of getting together provincial and territorial partners to ensure that a final, solid and long term solution is found.
I invite the hon. member, who I know has great influence in many areas, to do precisely that and to make sure that the health minister for Quebec is at the table and contributes in a very positive and meaningful way for a change.
Does the hon. member support the Reform Party's flat tax policy? Does he support what the Reform Party is up to in terms of this 17% nonsense? I would like to hear the hon. member's opinion. After all, it is the Reform Party which, in its platform, would have gutted health care, social programs, pensions and all the things which we have put in place for Canadians. Do not take my word for it. Check the Reform Party platform. If we check its new fresh start program we will see the kind of nonsense for which the Reform Party opposite stands. It is outrageous.