Health Committee on Nov. 22nd, 2007

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

Thank you very much.

I have three short questions, to which there may be long answers.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

That's my fault.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

First, on the issue of unsafe products and toxic toys, which we addressed as recently as yesterday, you've indicated that you are taking some tough actions, although what we've seen to date is a website, which clearly doesn't do the job of protecting Canadians. Your website also makes false claims, suggesting that you already have legislation to be able to recall products. We know there is no such legislation. I'm asking you today if you are prepared, as part of your action plan, to actually change the legislation and make it possible for Health Canada, this government, to be able to order recalls.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

We're doing a top-to-bottom review. This legislation hasn't been really reviewed in 40 years. I think it is high time. You and I agree it's high time, and when we have something to announce, we'll announce it.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

Are you going to change your website to take away the false impression?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

I wasn't aware of that. We'll take a look at it, absolutely.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

It's right here under “Consumer Product Safety”. It says twice: “Enforcing legislation by conducting investigations.... Publishing product advisories, warnings and recalls”.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

It might be further made clear that we are talking about voluntary recalls in the current legislation context.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

I have two other questions.

Well, voluntary recalls is a totally separate matter. They're government-authorized recalls.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

I hear you. Uncle, uncle.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

You are moving money from the Department of Health dealing with treatment in terms of drug abuse and you're moving that to the justice department for your war on drugs campaign. What criteria do you have in place, as you do this, to ensure that the money will actually be used for proper treatment and issues pertaining to education, prevention, and treatment around drug abuse, as opposed to putting all this money into a questionable ad campaign?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

I think part of it is a court diversion program, if I recall correctly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Mr. Minister, perhaps I can make a suggestion at this juncture. Would you mind getting the answer back to Ms. Wasylycia-Leis? I understand there's a committee waiting to come in.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Okay, sure, we'll get back to you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

We still have our voting to do, and we have to ask the minister to depart before the votes. Thank you so very much for coming today.

The other committee is coming in, so we're going to have to go to the votes quickly, please. Could we commence and finish the vote so we can finish this today, please?

We need to finish our votes, so could everyone take their seats, please? The other committee needs to come in. This is what I was talking about. We took too long on the questioning today.

We are going to go into the votes because it won't work to take it to another meeting. Can we go to it? Shall vote 1a carry?

HEALTH

Department

Vote 1a—Operating expenditures..........$93,326,398

(Vote 1a agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Shall vote 5a carry?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mrs. Carmen DePape]

There is a motion to reduce the vote.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Go ahead, Madam Bennett.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

I had thought, Madam Chair, I would want to reduce the car allowance of the Minister of Health in that he's refusing to drive the hybrid that is sitting outside the back of Health Canada, and I think he should be encouraged to use that and then reduce the amount he spends on gasoline.

I have been encouraged not to do it in view of whatever, but I want it on record that I think it appalling that the Minister of Health is not driving a hybrid car while it's sitting in the backyard.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Are you giving an amount to that? Are you proposing a motion?

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

[Inaudible--Editor]...but now I understand that you want to report it back.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Shall vote 5a carry?

Department

Vote 5a—The grants listed in the Estimates and contributions..........$98,331,227

(Vote 5a agreed to)

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Vote 15a—Operating expenditures..........$469,075

Vote 20a—The grants listed in the Estimates..........$46,718,211

(Votes 15a and 20a agreed to)

Public Health Agency of Canada

Vote 35a—Operating expenditures..........$9,708,944

Vote 40a—The grants listed in the Estimates and contributions..........$5,210,000

(Votes 35a and 40a agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Shall I report the supplementary estimates to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

The meeting is adjourned.