It’s a good measure.
Evidence of meeting #67 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #67 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Next, what about exempting pharmacists' professional services for the GST/HST?
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
What about expanding the list of health care professionals who can order certain medical and assistive devices that are zero-rated under the GST/HST, to reflect the increasing involvement of heath care professionals such as nurses, like the one sitting next to me?
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
We definitely support an integrated care model with professionals. We need more work specifically on what the scopes of practice are.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Okay. What about expanding the list of GST/HST zero-rated medical and assistive devices and the list of expenses an individual may claim for income tax purposes under the medical expense tax credit to include blood coagulation monitors for use by individuals who require them? Is that a good measure?
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Thank you. On strengthening food safety with $51.2 million over the next two years to continue measures to strengthen Canada's food safety system—is that a good measure or bad measure?
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
Strengthened food safety measures are excellent.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Okay. What about encouraging participation and health communities with continued support to ParticipACTION and
the Pierre Lavoie Challenge?
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
We support healthy communities.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Okay, I have one minute. Let's keep going. On strengthening health care in rural—
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
Am I going to be giving them a “but”?
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
—communities with the forgiveness of student loans for medical graduates who practise in remote and rural areas, is that a good measure?
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
Yes, you announced that already, and we have supported that already.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Thank you. No, this is actually a clarification in the budget, because for the term that the medical students...there was a term for which they weren't covered while they were in residency, basically. It actually enhances it. I know they're very pleased with it. I'm glad you support that.
For Genome Canada, $60 million to launch new applied research competition in the area of human health and to sustain the science and technology centres—is that a good measure or a bad measure?
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
That would be very good.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Thank you. Last but not least, Mr. Jean mentioned how important it is to serve Canadians equally, especially when it comes to health care. Having the expertise you have, would you not agree it's about time Albertans got the same care that Manitobans in my province have? This bill is about to give them per capita—
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
I would respond—if you'll allow me. That would be great.
5:05 p.m.
Past-President, Canadian Medical Association
I think there is a very strong role for the federal government in ensuring that there is the same high quality of care right across the country. I was asked by Mr. Jean whether that was an important thing, and I agreed it was.
Without the federal government, without accountability, without standards, we will never know.
