Rebuilding Canadians' confidence in the health care system will not be easy. Not withstanding our difficulties, let me say that I do believe that Canada still provides better access to health care for more of its population, without barriers, than anywhere else in the world. The federal government in its 1999 budget took an important first step. However, the critical issue now becomes what immediate and successive steps will be taken by the government to place the funding of our health care system on a longer-term and sustainable basis. Canadian physicians, nurses and others dedicated to health and health care are not alone in the view that there must be a full restoration of the Canadian Health and Social Transfer funding.
Funding is the key for health sustainability.
As someone who pays my fair share of taxes I can appreciate the value of debt reduction and tax cuts but the legitimate requirements of the health sector for stable funding must be addressed to maintain our competitive edge internationally. Good economic policy and good health policy are compatible and interdependent. They should not be in competition. A healthy population is essential to Canada's ability to be industrially competitive. The viability of our health care system is also dependent on the health care workforce.