Mr. Speaker, I realize the parliamentary secretary is engaging in debate. He knows that time allocation is a closure motion no matter what it is called.
Members of Parliament from various parts of Canada will not be allowed to say what they want if there is not enough time allocated in which to say it.
I listened very carefully today because the speeches made on this grouping of motions in particular and on the groupings that occurred earlier in the debate last week when I was here, were very thoughtful, researched presentations. The research and thoughtful actions should have been undertaken by the government in its own time before preparing this bill, which as I indicated earlier but did not quite complete saying because of the interruption on this fundamental and most important bill.
Members are aware that the grouping in front of us today deals with health care. We have also dealt with issues relating to the elimination of the Crow rate and we still have other matters before us for debate. Because of time allocation and the closure motion, some of the motions will not even make it to the floor for debate before time runs out. Members who have given a great deal of thought and a lot of effort to preparing amendments will not even have the opportunity to present them for debate because we will run out of time.
This is a complete outrage. We are debating a matter that completely changes the way in which education and health care are financed, completely changes the way in which the transport of grain on the prairies is financed, completely changes the way in which Canada operates from coast to coast to coast.
I cannot say it enough. I am completely outraged by this matter. It really disturbs me that when I talk about the government not wanting to listen-and they are sitting babbling over there, obviously not prepared to listen, just giving credence to the point that I am trying to make.
One of the members earlier in his comments talked about Saskatchewan having been a founding part of medicare and our health care system. I speak with some credibility when I say that Canadians very much value their health care system. They do not want to see it tampered with.
There is great evidence that the actions of the Liberals in other parts of the country, particularly when it relates to the provincial election held in Manitoba, the provincial election that is under way here in Ontario, the provincial election that is under way in the province of Saskatchewan, that people regard their health care system as being very important. They are indicating first in the electoral polls and second in the public opinion polls that they do not trust the federal Liberal government in this regard. They are translating that into their electoral votes at the provincial level.
Some weeks ago some of the designers of Canada's health care system from Saskatchewan indicated to the government that it was on the wrong path, that if implemented the aspects that we most value in our health care system would be seriously eroded. The government heard the words of those wise individuals who spoke before the finance committee. Each of these wise people have indicated that the present system will result in the erosion of the health care system as we know it today.
Certainly the government should be listening to those wise voices whether it be some of those who participated in the designing of the system out in Saskatchewan or whether it be those who are presently delivering the system, whether it be the Canadian Medical Association or as quoted today in the Globe and Mail , the Canadian Hospital Association.
If I can quote from the Globe and Mail of today, it indicates how important this is, not only to the Canadian public but to those who are involved directly in the system. The article reads:
When the Canadian Hospital Association opens its annual meeting in Calgary today, it will issue a "call to arms" against the federal government's plans for health care.
Surely to goodness when an organization as credible and as astute as the Canadian Hospital Association issues a call to arms the government must be prepared to listen. It is incredible that instead of listening not only to the fine speeches of members of the House of Commons but to people across the country who want to see their health care system protected that the government should be moving to cut off the debate and not listen to what is being said anywhere in Canada. To barrel ahead as the government is on this matter is clearly incredible and outrageous.
In addition to the health care bill I earlier spoke on the Crow legislation. The government has not demonstrated at committee stage or in the House that it is prepared to understand the long term implications of the bill, whether they apply to health care or assistance in getting grain to port. The immediate loss of $400 million in grain transportation in the province of Saskatchewan alone is quite significant. I am quite appalled and amazed that the government has not taken the time to consider the long term implications in that regard.
As the House leader of the New Democratic Party I am very mindful of the words of the government and the actions which it takes. I recall reading in the local Ottawa media last week when the House was not sitting that the government House leader indicated that 32 pieces of legislation would have to be passed before the government adjourns the House for the summer recess on June 23. I cannot help thinking that the government is wanting to get home for the summer holidays-
