Evidence of meeting #4 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Carried on division.
Thank you very much. This is one of the fastest bills I've seen move through. We can do things collectively. Really, this is enabling legislation as much as anything.
Shall the bill carry?
11:10 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
11:10 a.m.
An hon. member
Opposed.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Carried on division.
Shall the chair report the bill to the House?
11:10 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
11:10 a.m.
An hon. member
Opposed.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
You're the ones who said you were in no hurry. So then, it's a success story.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
It's a success story, it's true.
In reality, this is enabling legislation. It was in the order in council; the agency was up and running. I think that's why there was cooperation in committee, and I appreciate it. I think it is very appropriate.
11:10 a.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Chairman, will we be able to ask questions of the Public Health Agency of Canada officials? I have a question for them.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
We can, certainly, if you have some questions. We have some witnesses from the department. The bill is carried, but if you have some specific questions, I would entertain them.
11:10 a.m.
Bloc
11:10 a.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
With respect to tobacco, will responsibility be shared between Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada? Yesterday, we heard from groups defending the rights of non-smokers and they are somewhat concerned because they are wondering who will be responsible for tobacco issues. In the past, regulations and programs were reviewed internally. They want to know if responsibility will now be shared.
11:15 a.m.
Jim Harlick Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Communications and Corporate Services, Public Health Agency of Canada
Thank you Madam.
Health Canada retains primary responsibility for this program. The Department is responsible for tobacco control initiatives and for promoting smoking cessation programs.
11:15 a.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
So then, Health Canada is not entirely responsible. There is a difference.
11:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Communications and Corporate Services, Public Health Agency of Canada
We at the Agency are of course mindful of the harmful affects of tobacco and this ties in with our responsibilities in terms of preventing chronic illnesses. However, Health Canada continues to be responsible for the federal government anti-smoking initiatives.
11:15 a.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
You're referring to all of the regulations and advertising campaigns to reduce tobacco consumption.
11:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Communications and Corporate Services, Public Health Agency of Canada
Precisely.
11:15 a.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
I had some questions for you about this very matter. I think we'll have to invite Health Canada officials here to answer our questions.
11:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Communications and Corporate Services, Public Health Agency of Canada
That's right.
11:15 a.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Can you tell me how many people will work for the new Public Health Agency of Canada? We were told that 1,202 public servants had been transferred to the Agency from Health Canada. Currently the Agency has 1,825 employees. There's quite a difference between these two figures. Where did the additional employees come from? How many more people do you plan on hiring? You've lived up quite well to the expectations noted in some of the consultation papers. Mr. Naylor has established a few guidelines for the new agency. On reading these recommendations, we get the sense that the Public Health Agency of Canada will grow too big in a few years' time. Plans call for the Agency's budget to increase and for substantial growth on the human resources side as well.
11:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Communications and Corporate Services, Public Health Agency of Canada
That's correct, Madam. The Agency's budget for the current fiscal year provides for 2,119 FTEs and $505.4 million in appropriations.
Some Health Canada resources were transferred over to the Public Health Agency of Canada when it was created in 2004. The government subsequently allocated additional resources to the Agency for various programs, in particular, programs to prepare for pandemics, to promote health initiatives and to prevent chronic illnesses. Most of the new funding received by the Agency since its creation has been allocated to these particular programs.