Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé.

Last week, the government sent a letter directing primary care organizations to offer clinical services seven days a week, including evenings, due to high-volume pressures across our health care system. But starting this Thursday, people with children will have to pay.

Here’s what Gail Kirk had to say:

“I guess my Christmas presents to my four-year-old granddaughter and my four-month-old grandson will be a $290 annual subscription to KixCare.

“Gramma who lives on CPP and OAS will have to do the government’s job of ensuring access to health care.

“If this is your idea of improving access, then get out of politics.”

What would the minister like to say to Mrs. Gail Kirk?

“My kids are away at school, my parents are elderly and live in a rural area with no WiFi”—Nickel Belt—“I can’t emphasize enough how much we depended on phone GP appointments....

“I’m really concerned my very ill parents will contract COVID at their doctor’s office, and that seems unnecessary and ludicrous.”

Speaker, is decreasing access to telephone consultations during a time of urgent system pressures ludicrous, or is it other proof that the minister is trying to push patients to private services where they pay out of pocket?