Mr. Speaker, by all accounts the work done by the Saskatchewan government and the government in Manitoba, both of which happen to be NDP, is well recognized for dealing with a very difficult situation of limited federal dollars in the face of growing demand and need. By all accounts, the federal government has failed provincial governments struggling to provide for all citizens.
Roy Romanow offered a solution. It was the result of 18 months of consultations. Thousands of Canadians participated and there was a consensus about what we needed to do as a country to sustain medicare and to ensure that a non-profit, public system of health care would be there for generations to come.
I would suggest that the Alliance join with us in calling upon the government to at least, as a first step, close the Romanow gap which would have the federal government play a role that is beyond the 14% it is investing in our health system now. This would begin to provide the basis for reshaping and rebuilding our health care system.
The member ought to know that the damage done to our health system as a result of this government's cuts back in 1995 has been massive. The work to correct that kind of situation has to begin now. That is why this budget is so critical. We have a chance now with fiscal flexibility, with surplus revenue and with all kinds of room in terms of investing in communities. This is the year and the time to deal with that gap and to put the money into communities that are prepared to provide for the health care needs of their citizens, regardless of where they live and regardless of how much money they earn.