Mr. Speaker, even though he is a little off topic when he refers to health care, I would be more than glad to offer a response. He failed to recall in his comments that the provinces asked the federal government for a substitution of tax points in lieu of cash, believing practically that over time they would have more revenue from tax points than from a straight cash transfer from the federal government. In failing to acknowledge that, the hon. member is supporting a weak argument because the contribution of the federal government to the provinces for health care and social services is vastly higher than the 12% figure he quotes.
I really wish in fairness he would at least mention that the provinces asked for tax points from the federal government many years ago and received them. Had they not done that, they would be in a lot different position, even according to his own formulas, than they are now.
I would also add that if we do not deal with this overpayment and deal principally with the four provinces that received most of the overpayment, we will be unfair to the provinces that do not have an active mutual fund trust. It is a matter of fairness to the other provinces as well.