Evidence of meeting #13 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pharmacists.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Oh, I see. I'm sorry. I assumed that was the introduction. My apology.
Go ahead.
12:45 p.m.
NDP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
I didn't really want to read it into the record, but I did want to explain why it's here.
It really isn't to challenge the government on what it has done or not done in the area of health care, but to acknowledge the fact that we have, by law, a health act that requires annual reports to Parliament. That report is a very important tool for monitoring and analyzing the effectiveness of the system. But we've had some difficulties getting that report dealt with—even to this committee. I'm not sure how you've dealt with it in the past few years, but early on, when I was a member of this committee, it was often very hard to get the report on a timely basis and then to get the minister to the committee to talk about the report.
So I'm suggesting the motion because of that, and because of the fact that we've had an Auditor General's report talking about the fact. I just wanted to mention her concerns about the failure to properly monitor the Canada Health Act. That was in 2002 report of the Auditor General. Back then she said, “Health Canada has made only limited progress in addressing the weaknesses we identified in our 1999 audit. As a result, its monitoring still does not allow it to assess and report the extent of provincial and territorial compliance with the Canada Health Act.” Therefore, we don't really have a way to resolve disputes, even if we can identify them.
So I want this to happen, just so the committee can have a mechanism to be involved in a very important process to ensure that the act is being enforced, and so that we can have a good conversation with the minister about any problems identified and whether or not there are enough resources being put towards monitoring the system.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
Sure, I'm pleased to be your dear friend. On Valentine's Day, that's very touching.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
I like to leave my options open there.
In regard to the motion itself, the government is making—
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
The government is making a lot of progress. The Canada Health Act is being fulfilled.
I see that we're short of time, Madam Chair, but let me assure the committee that this government supports the Canada Health Act and that we're making great progress, and I'd be happy to talk about this after the meeting.
Perhaps we should go to a vote, Madam Chair.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
We certainly could go to a vote.
Are you ready for a vote, or would you like more discussion?
Madame Gagnon.
12:50 p.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
The motion on the table calls on the government to strengthen its monitoring and analytical capacity regarding enforcement of the Canada Health Act. The wording is problematic for us. For example, with regard to waiting lists, all provinces try to meet realistic objectives that reflect their particular context. If the Minister of Health wants to give us an overview of what has been happening in the other provinces over the past two years of his mandate, there's no problem with that. I do not, however, want government analytical and monitoring capacity to be strengthened. The Minister of Health says that he is holding discussions with the provinces to gain an idea of the length of waiting lists in the different jurisdictions. Personally, I have no problem with that, but I cannot accept the current wording of the motion.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
Susan Kadis Liberal Thornhill, ON
I support the motion, particularly because I'm disappointed that this does not appear to be one of the Conservative government's priorities anymore, specifically the wait times, which are extremely important, as we've heard reference made to them in important documents recently and as they are certainly most important to the Canadian public in having their needs met.
Thank you.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
If we have exhausted this conversation.... We're running out of time and have one more piece of business.
12:50 p.m.
Bloc
12:50 p.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
It is all very well to lecture the provinces, but when their budgets have been cut for 10 years...
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Madame Gagnon, with all due respect, perhaps you could just wait one minute and listen to what I'm trying to finish saying.
We have one more order of business and I know there are three speakers. If we could keep very concisely within this time instead of having a half-hour soliloquy, it would be very nice.
Mr. Temelkovski, you're next. You're on the list, and then it's Madame Gagnon.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Lui Temelkovski Liberal Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
Thank you very much.
I believe we'd be in favour of the intent of the motion. We'd like to make a friendly amendment to this. If Madam Wasylycia-Leis would like to make a friendly amendment, the friendly amendment is that this motion be reported to the House.
12:55 p.m.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
I just wanted to point out that it is all very well to set the provinces a challenge or to strengthen the analysis of implementation in order to reduce wait times, but we cannot forget that Quebec has had to reduce the size of its nursing staff because the Liberals slashed the funding provided to the provinces via the Canada Social Transfer during the 10 years that they were in power. Today, we are faced with a shortage of funding available through the Canada Social Transfer, a problem that was created by the Liberals.
I think that all provinces are currently trying to meet targets or objectives. All provinces are cognizant of the shortage of doctors and nurses, and the effect that it is having on lengthening the waiting lists. The Liberals helped create this problem.
I felt that this is something that needed to be said this morning. Thank you.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
Thank you.
I want to reiterate that there is nothing in this motion that detracts from what is now required by Parliament. It is simply a mechanism to follow through on what Parliament has stated, which is that the Canada Health Act, section 23, requires the minister to report to Parliament annually.
So all we're saying is that as the health committee surely we could talk about the report and have a discussion with him. We have a Canada Health Act division at Health Canada that monitors and analyzes provincial and territorial compliance through data and different information. So that's done now. We're saying let's get the information here. We have a provision whereby no resolution can be agreed upon. We have a dispute avoidance and resolution mechanism. So I would think if Steven Fletcher and the government members have nothing to worry about in terms of this area, they aren't going to be upset with following the law and having this come to this committee.
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Ms. Wasylycia-Leis, the debate is over. Could we now take a vote? Who is in favour of this motion and to have it reported to the House with the friendly amendment?
(Motion negatived)