I think first and foremost everybody should understand that Canadians are strongly committed to the system of universal health insurance, to the principle that your ability to pay does not determine your access to critical medical service.

I think because we're such a trading nation, I think Canadians understand that first and foremost we're part of the global economy.

Health insurance should be a given for every citizen.

For many years I didn't have health insurance.

But I can tell you what I believe: When tens of thousands of innocent souls have perished in Darfur-when 11 million children are without health insurance-when our colossal debt subjects our economic future to the whims of Asian bankers-no one can tell me that faith demands this Senate spend its time arguing over a handful of judges. No one with those priorities can use my faith to intimidate me.

Nobody likes insurance companies, especially health insurance companies.