Mr. Chairman, a few months ago I asked the Library to prepare a chart of what had been accomplished: the National Forum on Health recommendations, and then what action had been taken.
I would not be honest if I said no action was taken. Out of the 12 recommendations, 8 have been followed up in the budget, not always to the extent the forum wanted to see, but it would not be honest if I said that nothing had been done.
I do, however, think that two key recommendations need to be looked at.
First, the recommendation for Canada-wide pharmacare. As hon. members may know, Quebec has set an example in this ever since Pauline Marois set up its prescription drug insurance plan.
Second, what is interesting about the National Forum on Health, is that it made the following recommendation, which I shall read, knowing your thirst for knowledge:
—explicit acknowledgment of the health and social impacts of economic policies, and action to help individuals who are trying to enter the workforce.
In conclusion, a federal government that does the harm that it has with EI reform cannot expect people to be in good health.
Real health requires social policies that respect people's dignity, and the federal government has a woeful record in that respect.