Madam Speaker, I would like to address the question of the financial contribution of the federal government. The minister and his colleagues have said time and time again over the last two days that the cash does not matter. They have actually tried to deflect attention by throwing in everything but the kitchen sink in the federal contribution toward health care.
Before 1993, when the government was in opposition, the Liberals criticized the Conservative government for changing the formula and said very clearly that it was the cash that matters. In the 1997 budget on page 65 the government said that it was the cash that counts in terms of program spending.
My first question is for the minister. Why does the cash not count today? Does he not realize that it is the glue that holds our health system together? It is the only way to stop the privatization forces under Klein, Harris and the Reform Party.
I have a second question. The minister and his colleagues are concerned and committed to stopping two tier Americanized private health care. Do they not recognize that by being passive, by aiding and abetting Alberta's privatization agenda, as they did when they allowed the 12 point agreement on private health services to take place, they are part of the problem? In order to truly support and enhance medicare they have to dissociate themselves from that position, rescind that agreement and go forward, fully supporting the principles of the Canada Health Act.