Evidence of meeting #9 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was silicone.
12:35 p.m.
The Clerk of the Committee
Because of recent changes in the membership of the committee and pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), we will now proceed with the election of the first vice-chair.
I am now ready to receive nominations for the position of first vice-chair. The nominee must be a member of the official opposition.
Do I have a mover of a nomination?
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
12:35 p.m.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Tina Keeper that Ruby Dhalla be elected first vice-chair of the committee.
Are there other nominations?
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare Ms. Dhalla first vice-chair of the committee.
12:35 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Ms. Demers has put notices of motion before the committee.
Ms. Demers, we need to know whether you want to move those today or whether you want to wait for the report.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
12:35 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I would now like to read excerpts from motion #1B, which among other things, notes the following:
There have been no objective, long-term studies on silicone gel breast implants and their effect on women's health.
Further on, there is a lengthy reference to testimony given by witnesses who last week provided the committee with information on silicone gel breast implants. The following is further noted:
The team of Doctor Robert Guidoin, a specialist in biomaterials at the Université Laval, demonstrated that the silicone gel prostheses implanted in 12,000 Canadian women can deteriorate, mix with tissue and release a potentially carcinogenic product into the human body.
Therefore, I am asking the minister to postpone her decision on silicone gel implants until we have definitive proof that these implants do not pose a health risk for women. The situation is becoming ridiculous.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
You have the motion before you. We will open the floor to debate on the motion, if you want.
Mr. Fletcher.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
I'll speak to the first motion.
There have been numerous long-term, evidenced-based, scientific studies on the safety and effectiveness of silicone gel breast implants. These have been considered, along with conclusions arrived at in the study of Drs. Guidon and Tweed and the opinions contained in the document Decisions in the Dark, by Health Canada during the review process. In addition, Health Canada is aware of the unsubstantiated claims of fraud made in the media by the former Mentor employee. This employee has subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of theft from the company. None of the information presented is new to Health Canada. All these studies have been reviewed during extensive evidence-based pre-market evaluation of safety and effectiveness evidence available for these medical devices.
When Health Canada has received an application for licence of a medical device, the department is required by law to review and make determinations with respect to the application. Given the extensive data and evidence gathered by Health Canada in the context of licensing applications for silicone gel-filled breast implants, there is no need to postpone the decision-making process. Therefore, I suggest to the committee that we vote no.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
12:40 p.m.
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
I think as a woman, and having spoken to and having been in contact with a number of women across the country who have been impacted, I think we as a committee should be voting yes on this motion. When you take a look at some of the statistics, especially in light of the fact that over 70% of implants have been removed after 11 years because they were perforated, those are very alarming statistics. What we do in this committee with respect to this issue has a tremendous impact on many women in this country.
I think it's important that we show some leadership. I think it's important that we also ensure that next time around, if there is a next time when Health Canada puts together an expert advisory panel or a scientific advisory panel, it is unbiased and objective.
In light of some of the incidents that have occurred in the past, in addition also to the statistics we have, I think we should be supporting this motion.
12:40 p.m.
NDP
Penny Priddy NDP Surrey North, BC
Thank you.
The other thing that would concern me is that when these first came out and when they had their second generation, people said there had been enough research to prove they were safe. Clearly, there had not been enough research to prove they were safe. Until there really is something substantive, I could not support--I mean, I do support Madame Demers' motion and think it would almost be irresponsible on my part not to.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
Could I move an amendment, Mr. Chair? Just looking at this and some of the preamble, I would strike the preamble, because I don't think we can agree on that around this table. I'll read the amendment as I would propose it. It would just start with the final statement:
In light of all the information collected and heard to date, we are asking the Department to postpone its decision on silicone gel breast implants...
The statement would then continue by saying,
...until it has received enough scientific information to make an informed decision on the safety of silicone gel breast implants.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
