Madam Speaker, the member implies that somehow the federal government operates hospitals. He should know that the provinces have the responsibility for the administration of the health care delivery system. The federal government's responsibilities are to maintain the five pillar principles of the Canada Health Act.
The member also should know that in 1993 the transfers to the provinces for health care were about $28 billion. In 2000 the transfers to the provinces for health care will be $30 billion, more than they were in 1993. Over the last two years there has been a full 25% increase in the cash.
The member should also know that the federal government has made it very clear that there is more money available for health care. The federal government will be contributing more money to health care. All we need to do is make sure that the health care money that is going to be transferred to the provinces will be spent wisely and that there are standards that can be monitored so that all people, whether they be in federal or provincial governments, will have the means to demonstrate to all Canadians that their health care dollars, their tax dollars, are being spent wisely.