Canadians speak very clearly through the polls on a number of issues. First, Canadians are very attached and proud of their health care system. Second, they are very supportive of the principles of the Canada Health Act and what they understand to be the core elements of media care, namely that the system is national and publicly-funded, and that it provides to Canadians universal coverage and medical care on the basis of need. Third, Canadians have perceived a marked deterioration in the quality of the system during the past decade, particularly in regards to waiting times for specialists, waiting times at emergency rooms, the availability of the best technology, and adequate numbers of doctors and nurses. Consequently, Canadians have become very worried about the future of the health care system.