Mr. Speaker, in this country we really have a couple of different options. It is always open to the federal government to show leadership and to take the lead and extend essential health care coverage to Canadians, or it can work with the provinces and territories on a shared basis. As I pointed out in my speech, both those options are available.
The issue here before us today is that the NDP is taking a federal government initiative, a $6.9-billion tax cut, and instead targeting that tax cut and using the savings to immediately provide dental care to the 50% of Canadians in this country who do not have it now. That does not require anybody else's involvement. That is purely a federal government initiative, and the NDP is pushing the Liberal government to do this.
Ultimately, the way our health care system works is that health care is delivered at the provincial level, and the federal government provides transfer payments. It is all dependent on the federal government showing leadership and providing that funding. There is no reason that this approach could not be proceeded with as well.
I want to leave my hon. colleague with one thing to think about: Dental care is an emergency, and many Canadians are suffering now. They need leadership from the government now. They cannot wait years or decades. They have already waited five decades. The NDP says it is time to act now.