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HANSARD
House of Commons
April 2, 2012
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary knows that OAS is sustainable.
All Canadians know that the Conservatives hid their plans to cut OAS during the last election, the same thing that they did to health care.
Not only does the budget unilaterally cut health care transfers; it also cuts Health Canada by over $300 million.
All in all, the Conservatives have failed to show leadership on health care and have remained silent on critical issues like pharmacare and the accountability of health care dollars.
Will the Conservatives reverse their reckless cuts to Health Canada?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the opposition’s claims that health transfers would be cut is absolutely false. Clearly, the opposition is unable to do its math; in fact, federal transfers for health care will increase faster than provincial spending. Last week’s budget confirmed that our government will transfer record amounts of health transfers to the provinces and territories, climbing to approximately $40 billion by the end of the decade.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the minister’s math is wrong. The government is ignoring inflation and population increases.
The Conservatives cannot escape. The Prime Minister broke his promise on health care, and cash-strapped provinces will have to pay the price.
Experts, including the Parliamentary Budget Officer, agree that the Conservative formula will cost provinces over $30 billion. There is no getting away from that.
Will the government finally listen to Canadians and provinces and reverse its decision to download billions of new costs to the provinces?
