Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to our colleague that the provinces are not asking that the federal government act as an automatic teller, but that it stop making source deductions, to borrow a colourful expression from the field of accounting.
I am quite puzzled by the historical background provided by our hon. colleague. As she may know, the Romanow commission gave Professor François Rocher the mandate to look into the history of the Canada Health Act. When the Canada Health Act was passed in 1984, the Liberals were on their way out of office. All of the provinces were opposed to this legislation.
What was to be expected happened. The provinces were opposed. Yet they believed in a universal, publicly administered and accessible system. The provinces were opposed because they anticipated the federal government's withdrawal. What happened? In the early 1970s, Ottawa was contributing 50% to programs. As time went on—it started with Marc Lalonde, and has gone on until just recently—Ottawa contributed less and less. It is now contributing 14% of the cost of all health care services provided.
Will my hon. colleague admit that the federal government has no valid jurisdiction over or responsibility for health care, except for epidemics, quarantines, patents, aboriginals, research and military personnel? In practical terms, in the field, whether we are talking about primary care, hospital care or home care, the expertise does not rest with the federal government. This is precisely why a majority of the provinces already oppose the Romanow report.