Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few minutes to speak to the motion tabled yesterday in the House by the hon. member for Hochelaga—Maisonneuve.
Before returning to the specifics of my colleague's motion I would like to thank the hon. member for having raised this issue for discussion in the House today. I look forward to working with him on the Standing Committee on Health in the months ahead and all those who serve as critics.
The motion speaks to one of the great strengths of Canada's parliamentary system, that the House is one of our country's best forums to discuss issues that concern our citizens. It is not the only forum but it is one of the most effective and indeed one that can address concerns as they surface in the collective conscience of our citizens.
It is clear that real changes need to take place in health care but these changes cannot take place without open debate and discussion. More than just debating the matter in the House, we need other opportunities for vigorous and constructive dialogue in order that all Canadians have the opportunity to have their say.
I would like to address the issues raised directly by the motion: first, that our government has withdrawn from health care funding; second, that the federal government is attempting to invade provincial areas of jurisdiction; and third, that we are attempting to impose some kind of vision of health care on other levels of government.
These statements are totally false.
Health care is a priority for the government and we have shown it time and time again. Since balancing the budget, almost 70% of new federal spending has been for health, education and innovation. In support of the historic agreements reached by the first ministers in September 2000 on health care renewal and early childhood development, $23.4 billion in increased funding is being provided to the provinces and territories over five years. This is one of the largest single expenditures by any Canadian government in this country's history.
Of this investment, $21.1 billion is for the Canada health and social transfer, the CHST, and $2.3 billion is for targeted investments in medical equipment, primary care reform and new health information technologies. Provinces are receiving $2.8 billion more in CHST cash this year, bringing CHST cash to $18.3 billion. In 2002-03, that cash will grow to $19.1 billion, a $3.6 billion increase over 2000-01. By 2005-06, CHST cash will reach $21 billion, a $5.5 billion or 35% increase over 2000-01 levels. Total transfers to provinces, including the CHST and equalization, are growing to $45.3 billion in 2001-02, an all time high.
In addition, let me remind hon. members opposite of a further point relative to the first ministers' agreement of September 2000. The first paragraph of the joint communiqué underscored the respect for jurisdictional responsibilities. If I may, I would like to quote from that communiqué. It states:
Nothing in this document shall be construed to derogate from the respective governments' jurisdictions. The Vision, Principles, Action Plan for Health System Renewal, Clear Accountability, and Working Together shall be interpreted in full respect of each government's jurisdiction.
Let us take a look at federal involvement in health care in Canada.
The federal role of medicare has long been misunderstood. Many assume that our role is that of a banker cutting cheques to pay for the system. This is but one role of many. In fact, we are involved directly in five key areas. We are a prime mover of health research and of reliable health information. We promote healthier lifestyles for Canadians. We deliver health services to aboriginal peoples. We contribute to global health. As well, we are leaders in renewing medicare. In addition to these five key areas, we are working to ensure that drugs and consumer products are safe, effective and regulated. It is important that we are clear about our role in each of these areas, so let me touch on each of them briefly.
First is the promotion of health research and the provision of sound health information.
We are privileged to be living in a golden age of medical research. From the unlocking of the human genetic code to dramatic breakthroughs in nanotechnology and a greater understanding of the determinants of health, our world is being transformed at a staggering pace.
This fact has not been missed by our government. That is why we created the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, or CIHR, headed by Dr. Alan Bernstein. This collection of virtual institutes is revolutionizing how health research is conducted in this country. The CIHR's work is rooted in teamwork and partnership. Each is at the heart of Canada's proud tradition of scientific and social science research.
We have made significant new investments in CIHR, in fact, $75 million in increased funding for its 2002-03 budget, a new annual total of $560 million. Through this investment, we will develop the knowledge, understanding and insight that we need to undertake a program of continuous improvements to our health care system.
An important corollary to research is health information. Through the Canadian Institute for Health Information, CIHI, Canadians can count on getting important information on how to maintain and improve their health, but CIHI's work does not end there. It is also providing Canadians with information on the health care system itself. With this information, shared with the provinces and territories, we will together renew our health care system.
Health information is about getting to the root issues of health care. It is about getting facts, reliable facts, the kind of data that will help make the system more accountable to Canadians, the kind of information that will help effect meaningful change in health care. In September 2002, we hope to table the first performance measurement report on health care.
The second key area of federal activity is promoting and protecting the health of our citizens. Whether it is nutrition information or tougher warnings on tobacco packaging, our work translates into helping our citizens live healthy lives.
Leaving aside the human cost incurred by disease and sickness, just imagine the savings we could realize in the health care system, the hospital beds we could free up, the tests and procedures we would not have to perform. We need to successfully cultivate a culture that makes the pursuit of health a public good and a private goal.
The third area for which the federal government has direct responsibility is the provision of health services to first nations and Inuit people. Just like the provinces and territories, we are undertaking a renewal process and we are facing similar challenges. Health professionals are in short supply and drugs are expensive, as are the technologies.
Just as the provinces and territories are wrestling with the pressures of delivering health care to aboriginals living in urban centres, the federal government addresses the challenges of delivering health care to those on reserves, often in rural and remote areas. That is why we are investing in programs to support early childhood development and in efforts to reduce the incidence and effects of fetal alcohol syndrome and to address sustainability challenges for the first nations and Inuit health care system.
Canada is a country with a unique global vision, and health care is among the issues that we are working to elevate to the international stage. That is the fourth area of federal activity about which I want to speak briefly.
We are working hard with other countries to develop a global vision of health issues to identify common goals and share common experiences. The tragic events of September 11 made many things clear to us. One of these is that all countries need to improve their surveillance ability, laboratory capacity, frontline responsiveness and stocks of necessary drugs. Canada needs to be prepared. That is why last year our government invested $11.5 million in measures to help improve Canada's ability to protect its citizens from any public health security crisis that may arise.
These measures, which will shore up our existing efforts, include the following: $5.62 million to buy antibiotics and chemical antidotes; $2.24 million for radiation detection and communications equipment; $2.12 million to establish a Canada wide network of laboratories equipped with the necessary materials to diagnose biological agents quickly; and $1.5 million for emergency response training for frontline staff, including laboratory managers, quarantine officers, federal occupational health officers and provincial emergency responders.
Let me speak to the fifth area of federal activity and that is of course the area in which we are a partner in the renewal of our medicare system. We heard recently from Roy Romanow's commission on the future of health care in Canada. It is clear that through its interim report the commission's work will generate public debate, and that is good. It is a debate that will allow all Canadians to participate in the shaping of the future of the health care system in this country. I look forward to these discussions, which will take place over the coming months.
I will not presume nor will I pre-empt the outcome of the commission's work, but in my view there are areas where the federal government and our provincial and territorial partners are acting now to modernize medicare. These include pharmaceutical management, primary health care renewal, health and human resources and information technology. I want to say a few words about each of these.
First, on pharmaceuticals, there is no doubt that we need to deal with the rising costs of pharmaceuticals. We need to determine whether the overall increase in utilization contributes to better health outcomes. A federal, provincial, and territorial agreement on a common drug review process is addressing some of these concerns and looking at new ways to share best practices in prescribing and utilizing pharmaceuticals.
With respect to primary health care renewal, the federal government has committed $800 million in a primary health care transition fund. This will help provinces and territories continue to build a primary care system of integrated health care teams.
With respect to health and human resources, we simply have to come to terms with the fact that Canada is competing for qualified doctors, nurses, technicians and therapists, not just with the United States but with countries around the world. We need to make sure that the revitalization of our health care system takes account of these new realities.
Finally, there is the importance of information technology in health care renewal. We need to continue to invest wisely, using technology as a tool so that we have the capability and capacity to address Canada's health care needs in the future.
As I indicated at the beginning of my remarks, the facts speak for themselves about the federal government's commitment to health care. We are committed to ensuring that it remains adequately funded and we are committed to ensuring that it is managed and administered responsibly and efficiently.
By continuing to work with our provincial and territorial partners, I have no doubt that we will achieve that goal. Whether it is sponsoring health research, generating reliable health information, promoting healthier lifestyles, delivering health services to aboriginal peoples, contributing to global health issues or modernizing medicare, our role in Canada's health system is vital, integral and unwavering.
I will say it again, our role in the canadian health care system is essential, complete and unchanging.
