Mr. Speaker, the Harris government continues to claim that the federal government contributes only 13% to public health care spending in Ontario, when in fact the real number is 33%. That government still has half a billion dollars in federal health care cash from last year in the bank. That money could be used to enhance health care in Ontario. Rather, it is contemplating the closure of Henderson Hospital, the only hospital on Hamilton Mountain.
The constituents of Hamilton Mountain have spoken. They want and need this hospital. Twelve hundred people attended a rally last week to tell the Harris government to use the health care cash and keep Henderson Hospital open.
I congratulate the provincial Liberal member for Hamilton Mountain, Marie Boutriani, for her efforts to keep this hospital open.
The federal government has shown its commitment to health care. Now it is time for the provincial government to do the same and keep Henderson Hospital on Hamilton Mountain open.