Madam Speaker, I know that. I know that you know I was talking about estimates and the budget and the fact that the government should have considered allocating a portion of the $15 billion surplus to health care to meet some of the critical issues I outlined in my remarks today.
I appreciate the very important question from the Liberal member across the away about innovations by the federal government that should be supported. I want him to know that the Liberal government has come forward with good ideas in a number of instances. I have indicated tonight that we do not quarrel with the idea of performance reports or a citizens' council dealing with quality health care. These are important ideas that should be advanced.
However I am concerned about where the government stops in terms of concrete action to deal with serious problems. I am concerned about its failure to keep promises pertaining to such basic issues as access to reasonably priced drugs, a universally accessible home care program and major reforms to primary health care. These are all issues the government said it would be innovative on but has failed to address.
The member raised the important issue of split jurisdiction and the problem of trying to advance these issues in the context of different agendas at the federal-provincial level. I recognize that point. However in terms of health care we are dealing with a willingness on the part of many provincial governments to make progress in the areas of pharmacare and home care. That is the case with my home province of Manitoba.
There has been a tremendous resistance or lack of courage by the federal government to take up and advance these issues in collaboration with provinces that are willing to co-operate. The example of innovation is relevant to the debate because Manitoba offers, and the Minister of Health knows this, model programs in the areas of pharmacare and home care.
Manitoba pioneered those ideas many years ago and they ought to be replicated across Canada. However that would take federal leadership and it would take money. Yes, it would take some of the budgetary surplus available to us today. It would also take a minister who is prepared to do battle if necessary with less than co-operative provinces. There is an interest that the present Minister of Health could tap into. He could move expeditiously on some of the key issues pertaining to the reform and renewal of medicare.