Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his work in the last few months with the people in Attawapiskat.
He puts the question in a very pointed way. We are in a bit of jam. We have a limited time frame in which to actually pass legislation which affects the Criminal Code.
When the Minister of Health answered a similar question in question period earlier today, she said that she is absolutely committed to putting forward a palliative care strategy. I am prepared to accept her at her word. Knowing her personally, knowing her personal background, knowing her integrity, I am perfectly at ease with accepting her word on this and her seeking out funds in order to put money behind that strategy.
I think the hon. member has raised a pretty legitimate issue, and we would all be a lot more comforted if we were doing this legislation in the context of a tabled palliative care strategy.