Mr. Speaker, let me first of all thank the hon. member for my promotion. I have always thought he was a man of exemplary good judgment.
The hon. member does raise a very serious question. I have enormous respect for all the provinces and territories. I have enormous respect for my provincial and territorial colleagues, including Monsieur Legault, whom I had the opportunity to meet with in September when health ministers met. I look forward to seeing him again tomorrow in Toronto.
In fact, I want to underscore again for all hon. members of the House that as far as we are concerned on this side of the House we will work in a spirit of collaboration and partnership. The provinces are the primary deliverers of health care. The provinces are 13 incubators in which innovation is taking place, dare I say on an almost daily basis, but the Government of Canada also has an important role to play in the area of health care. We must show leadership in relation to the principles of the Canada Health Act. We must show leadership in terms of working with the provinces on issues of national concern. We must do our part to fund this, Canadians' most cherished social program, and I can reassure everyone we will continue to do those things. We will continue to show that leadership in a spirit of partnership and collaboration.