Supply  Mr. Speaker, we only provide the money. We have to be able to co-operate and work with the provinces to ensure that they make the changes necessary to preserve our health care system so that we will have an effective pharmacare program and a home care program that will look after the people, which we are all very committed to seeing happen.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I think that is a gross misrepresentation of the facts that I stated and of comments that were made earlier in the House. The government is firmly committed to enforcing the Canada Health Act and providing Canadians with access to great medical care in the country.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I agree with everything the member has said in the sense that we are all here as Canadians. This is an issue of major importance to each and every one of us in the House. It does not matter what party we are with, we all want to make sure that we have the best health care system.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am glad to have the opportunity to speak to the opposition motion by the NDP. As the minister has said, the government does have grave concerns about public funds going to private for profit facilities. In Canada our health care system is predominantly publicly financed and privately delivered.

International Day Of Families  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today on this International Day of Families. As most of us know, countless Canadian parents face the daily struggle of balancing work and family life. Today approximately 70% of married Canadian mothers work outside their homes. Up to 60% of them return to work six months after the birth of their children.

Export Development Corporation  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade. Would he once and for all refute the comments and the allegations that were made in the House by a desperate Reform Party looking to smear the government?

Employment Insurance  Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saying that I am confident that members of all parties will support the amendment proposed by the hon. member for Miramichi which asks that the government take immediate action to review the employment insurance benefits for seasonal workers. Canada's economy is such that we have always had and always will have seasonal industries.

Supply  Madam Speaker, when we talk about accountability and transparency that is exactly what we are doing through the minister and the HRDC officials.

Supply  Madam Speaker, what we are talking about today is the CJF and TJF funding. There are thousands of other programs that amount to millions of dollars which, from my understanding, went to all ridings throughout the country.

Supply  Madam Speaker, in answer to those comments, I would much rather spend the millions of dollars that it would cost for an inquiry into helping Canadians. In many cases, the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and all the other provinces of Canada were partners, as this money was spent to employ and help Canadians.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to argue against this motion introduced by the member for Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques. I will begin with the issue of management, which is what this audit is all about. There is no money missing, as the opposition would like people to believe.

Research And Development  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health. In October the Prime Minister shared his vision for the new millennium: a nation built on learning, innovation and excellence. Can the parliamentary secretary outline the Government of Canada's commitment to creating a positive research environment where Canadian researchers can achieve world class potential here at home?

Emery Collegiate Institute  Mr. Speaker, I want to comment on the tragic shooting last Thursday, February 10 at Emery Collegiate Institute not only because the school is in my riding but also because there are lessons to be learned that might be ignored as everyone rushes about looking for easy answers and where to lay the blame.

Charmaine Crooks  Mr. Speaker, it gives me much pleasure to rise in the House today to pay tribute to Charmaine Crooks, holder of 11 Canadian track records and medalist in the Commonwealth and Pan Am Games. She was a silver medal winner in the 4x400 relay at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the Canadian Olympic team flag bearer at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.