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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 162

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 16, 2023 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 162 - Feb/16/23
Mrs. Julie Vignola (Beauport—Limoilou, BQ)
  • Feb/16/23 11:38:31 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, one of my biggest fears is that our systems, whether it be the health care system or any other Canada-wide system like the agricultural system, will become Americanized. Allowing indiscriminate access to the private sector would make our health care system more like the American system. That would not be good for the middle class, as it would lead to excessive debt. We agree on that. Having said that, if opportunities to rely on the private sector have opened up in recent years, it is because successive Liberal and Conservative governments since the Jean Chrétien government have not provided sufficient health transfers. If my colleague's budget were 28% to 32% short over a 30-year period, would he be able to manage a crisis, if one came along? That is the reality in the health care system.
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Context: House Hansard - 162 - Feb/16/23
Mrs. Julie Vignola (Beauport—Limoilou, BQ)
  • Feb/16/23 1:16:02 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I completely agree with my colleague that all Canadians, regardless of the size of their wallets, must have timely access to health services. That said, for 30 years, health transfers have been cut by every government in power. In Canada, and not just in Quebec, this has led to governments taking measures in crisis situations. That is how we ended up with a system that is stretched to the limit. It has also been constitutionally determined that in crisis situations the federal government must use its spending power to give an extra hand to the provinces, which it did. My colleague and I also agree on that. That said, the health transfers fall short of constitutional agreements. When will they be compliant, to ensure that our health care systems can fully serve the public?
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