Health  Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the matter of mental illness in this country, I will never play politics. I know that mental illness affects every Canadian. Every one of us in this chamber is affected by mental illness. This is a very serious matter. When I met with my counterparts, they wanted to talk about money.

Health  Mr. Speaker, for 10 years there was a government in Canada that paid precious little attention to health. We now have a government that is firmly committed to play the role that we have a responsibility to play in the matter of health. We are active participants in making sure that Canadians are healthy, that they have health care systems that work for them.

Health  Mr. Speaker, during the decade of the previous government, tens of billions of dollars of new money went into health care, but it did not transform health care systems in this country. I talk to Canadians all the time who say that while they are proud of our publicly-funded health care system, they know that it needs transformation, that there are actually better ways to deliver health care.

Health  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for bringing up this very important topic. This was actually something I discussed yesterday with my colleagues, the other ministers of health. The opioid crisis is very serious. It requires a comprehensive response, and in fact, we have already begun with a federal action plan.

Health  Mr. Speaker, Canadians are proud of their public health care system, but we know there is room for improvement. Yesterday, I had a meeting with my counterparts and I said that we would invest in health. However, health investments need to go toward health care. That is what Canadians expect.

Health  Mr. Speaker, it is true that I am a doctor. I worked as a doctor in Canada for more than 30 years. Even though Canadians are proud of their health care system, I know that it is in need of improvement and could serve Canadians better. That is why I am working with my counterparts.

Health  Mr. Speaker, when it comes to health, our government is always on Canadians' side. Canadians expect us to have a collegial working relationship. That is why my colleagues and I are meeting on October 18. I will work with all of my provincial and territorial counterparts. We will improve health care systems for Canadians.

Health  Mr. Speaker, when it comes to health, it is crucial that the health ministers gather to discuss what Canadians need. I am organizing such a meeting in order to improve our health care systems. We are going to increase the Canada health transfer. Next year it will go up to $37 billion.

Health  Mr. Speaker, I have raised this point in the House before. The approach of this government to health is completely different from what has been seen in this country in the last 10 years. I have been negotiating with my colleagues since the beginning of this year about how we can help them.

Health  Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure the House hears me very clearly on this. There will be no cuts to health care. The Canada health transfer is increasing next year by more than $1 billion, but while investments in the transfer have increased at a rate of 6% per year for the last decade, provincial health spending has not increased at that rate.

Health  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Toronto—Danforth for her question. Our government is committed to helping families make better food choices. We will introduce new restrictions on the commercial marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children. That is in addition to our commitment to improve labelling and bring in legislation to eliminate trans fats and reduce salt in processed foods.

Health  Mr. Speaker, this government is demonstrating an approach to health care that has not been seen in our country in a decade. We are collaborating with the provinces and territories. I will be meeting with the health ministers from across the country two weeks from today. We will be specifically investing in areas where Canadians know we need change.

Health  Mr. Speaker, our government is currently doing something Canadians have not seen in over 10 years. We are co-operating with our provincial counterparts across the country. I expect to have a very productive meeting with my provincial and territorial counterparts two weeks from now.

Health  Madam Speaker, the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells has raised a very serious matter. We are deeply concerned about the growing number of overdoses and deaths caused by fentanyl and other opioids. That is why we have delivered a five-point action plan to address the opioid crisis in this country.

Health  Madam Speaker, the difference is that our government is working hard with the provinces and territories. We are having excellent discussions with my counterparts across the country. Yesterday, I spoke to the Quebec and Ontario health ministers. We will continue to work together.