Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to my colleague opposite who I know has a great interest in health care. He sits on the health committee and contributes in a very positive and meaningful way most of the time. Unfortunately that is not so today.
Today he is talking a bit about all kinds of outrageous things in terms of what the federal government is doing. Quite frankly he is wrong. What we are doing is putting aside the kind of money that is necessary, certainly in the short term. More important, and this goes exactly to the heart of where the debate is going, we need to bring all provincial and territorial partners to the meeting in May with the federal health minister to start looking at a long term solution with long term objectives and at a focus in terms of where we want to go with our health care system. It is not always about throwing money at the problem. It is about how do things better, differently, and innovatively, given the technology and change in circumstances.
Will the hon. gentleman commit today to working closely with the federal government to ensure that Madam Marois and the people of Quebec who want to work closely will do the same in a positive and meaningful way? I remind him that not so long ago the Canadian Medical Association said that it was time for us to put aside petty politics. It is time for us to get beyond the partisanship. Health care is way too important for Canadians wherever they live in this great and fantastic country of ours.
Will the hon. member commit today to working hard and effectively to try to bring about the kind of long term solutions that are necessary for Quebecers and all other Canadians? After all, this is a Canadian issue. It goes to the very heart and soul of what it means to be a Canadian. It is an underlying value that we cherish, respect and want to improve on every chance we get. I know the hon. gentleman has no choice but to agree with everything I said.