I understand what Mr. McGuinty is saying, but I also heard what the official has just said. The intent of the bill is that the Minister of Health can take those measures and act directly. That was likely the case in the past, and I think that public health authorities must have had to be consulted. I prefer to keep the status quo instead of writing into the bill a provision like that which could ultimately exclude provincial public health authorities. Given that things worked well in the past, I do not see why we would not keep the status quo. Writing such a provision into the act could mean excluding public health authorities. I do not think that was the intent.
On May 3rd, 2007. See this statement in context.