Senator Gold: I’m not privy to the details of the discussions between the ministers, and I’m not sure that it is a matter of public record. I do know that the Minister of Health and his counterparts are in constant discussion, as are officials, on these matters. I know that this government and this particular minister feel very strongly that the federal government should continue to do its part with the provinces and territories to help them get ready.

Cooperative federalism also means respecting the sovereign jurisdiction of the provinces to decide exactly what their greatest needs are and where to put them. Some provinces are focusing more on services in rural areas, others perhaps in other areas, and that’s just an ongoing give and take between the federal government and its counterparts.