Mr. Speaker, health care is clearly a priority of this government.
The very first thing this Liberal government did, once our fiscal house was in order, was to increase the cash floor in the Canada health and social transfer from $11 billion to $12.5 billion. This $1.5 billion increase marked the end of cuts and signalled the important priority this government places on medicare.
The Prime Minister has said clearly: “The government will invest more of our resources in the years ahead to reinforce our public health care”. In the government's recent economic statement the finance minister said that concerns related to strengthening medicare will be addressed.
Money matters but it must be said that the complex problems that confront health care in Canada will not be solved by dollars alone. The point is not simply to spend more but to spend more in a way that will produce a better result. The fundamental challenge Canada faces is to create a real system that is more responsible and more responsive to Canadians. Meeting that challenge will require focused action.
First, we need integrated health care delivery that meets the needs of people. Although strides are being made, we are still far from providing a seamless web of efficient and effective care, whether in terms of organizing services or providing public funding for them.
Second, a quality health care system is one that can be measured, where performance can be assessed, where all partners are accountable and have a responsibility to report to Canadians. A quality health care system would enable Canadians to determine if their health dollars are being wisely spent. Clearly whatever steps we take have to be in collaboration and in full partnership with the provinces. The size and method of the federal reinvestment are subject to discussions with the provinces.
Let us be clear. While money matters, improving the quality of health care means also ensuring confidence that when Canadians need care it will be there for them.