Discussion · Government Orders
Mario Beaulieu Bloc Québécois
“I do not support this bill because it leaves out key needs. The government must raise health transfers by 6% each year, which is $14 billion over five years. It also needs to pay 35% of health care costs again, instead of just 22%.”
“Mr. Speaker, we know that Bill C‑31 fails to address many of the most urgent needs identified by the Bloc Québécois. One really important measure would be to lock in a 6% health transfer escalator, which would amount to $14 billion over five years. We will see if that is in the next budget. At present, the government has set the escalator at 5%, but if the annual increase is not prescribed, it will drop back to 3%. That would be catastrophic for the health care systems in Quebec and the provinces. We know that, over the decades, the federal share of funding has fallen from 50% to 22%. We want it to be restored to 35%.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, we know that Bill C‑31 fails to address many of the most urgent needs identified by the Bloc Québécois. One really important measure would be to lock in a 6% health transfer escalator, which would amount to $14 billion over five years. We will see if that is in the next budget. At present, the government has set the escalator at 5%, but if the annual increase is not prescribed, it will drop back to 3%. That would be catastrophic for the health care systems in Quebec and the provinces. We know that, over the decades, the federal share of funding has fallen from 50% to 22%. We want it to be restored to 35%.