I am responding in terms of what we as a government did. I understand the hon. member wants us to be more sensitive. In essence he is suggesting that our compensation plan has been inadequate. What I am saying is that in fact the government has committed over $1.4 billion by way of compensation and assistance.
Not only have we paid the $875 million to fulfill our financial obligations to claimants under the 1986 to 1990 settlement agreement, we also have put aside some $525 million to provide care and improve blood regulation and surveillance. The $525 million is largely to provide care for those individuals who were infected with hepatitis C before 1986 and after 1990. An important component of that funding is the undertaking agreement which provides a transfer of $300 million to the provinces and territories for health care services to help ensure that individuals infected with hepatitis C do not incur out of pocket expenses.
Our plan is sensible. It is compassionate. It provides care to people living with hepatitis C.