House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 35% of the vote.
Health June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I have written to several of the provinces where there are clinics that are operating possibly in contravention of the Canada Health Act.
I want the hon. member to know it is not the words that stopped two tier from development. It is the money and the resources which we have provided over the next 10 years, $41 billion for all Canadians from coast to coast to coast, $4.5 billion of that to reduce wait times across the country.
Health June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the issue before the court today that the court really ruled upon in essence is the Quebec charter.
It is important for the hon. member to remember that the yelling usually comes from that end. It does not come from this end.
It is also important for him to remember that there is a significant amount of money over the next 10 years that has been promised to all of the provinces across the country, including Quebec. That money would not go away. It is there for the next 10 years on a basis that is predictable and fair to all Canadians, including Quebeckers.
Health June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the funding is in place for the next 10 years on a basis that is well known to all Canadians, including Quebeckers. What is important is I have spoken to Dr. Couillard. He has been on television and in the press saying that this does not call into question the fundamentals of our public health care system, where universal access and equality is protected for all Canadians, including Quebeckers.
Health June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, contrary to the implication of the hon. member's question, funding has increased over the last several years. It is more than ever before. It is more than what Romanow had indicated.
The questions are for the opposition members. They wanted market reforms. The Leader of the Opposition talks about maximum flexibility for the private providers and market reforms in health care. That is what will wreck health care.
What is important for health care to make it stronger and better is the resources we have provided across the country.
Health June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, my memory is neither erased, nor doctored, nor spliced. What the hon. member should remember is that we have provided more than enough money and resources across the country to make our health care system--
Health June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should remember that there was a meeting of all first ministers in September 2004. An additional $41 billion was provided over the next 10 years. He should also remember Roy Romanow said at that time that the money far exceeded his recommendations.
We have put in place issues around benchmarks, comparable indicators, a national pharmaceutical strategy and expansion of home care. This is an overhaul of our system to make it better.
Health June 8th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, in addition to the $41.2 billion that has been given to the provinces, additional over the next 10 years, we have also funded research in the last year to the tune of $90 million for cancer. We have also given $10 million to the Terry Fox Foundation. We will be putting $300 million in a Canadian healthy living and integrated chronic disease strategy that will contain a significant element with respect to cancer control.
Health June 8th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's motion was about cancer control, mental health and heart disease. It was essentially about the major chronic diseases. I said yesterday in the House that we had $300 million over the next five years for an integrated chronic disease strategy, and that is what we will do.
Health June 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, $300 million was allocated in the last budget for an integrated disease strategy across the country. We are determined to enhance our focus and collaboration in fighting cancer.
Last year the Canadian Institutes of Health Research invested $94 million in cancer research. We gave $10 million to the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research.
We have been collaborating with the provincial and territorial governments, NGOs and support groups since 1999 in developing a cancer control strategy. An action plan describing priorities was released in 2002.
Supply June 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we did just that last September. We added an additional $42 billion over the next 10 years to those transfer payments. Now, with that money going to the provinces, the amount of money being provided far exceeds the recommendations made by the Hon. Roy Romanow in his report.
I believe that in addition to providing more transfers, we have an obligation in terms of education and awareness on prevention and promotion of public health across the country. The $300 million integrated disease strategy and healthy living strategy is part of that compliance with respect to our own obligations to Canadians.