Evidence of meeting #42 for Health in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was million.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:45 a.m.
Chief Public Health Officer, Public Health Agency of Canada
It was never taken away. There are more resources there for community groups than there ever were, and this government has continued to invest there.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
There are differing points of view from civil society; that's for sure.
Madam Minister, in the supplementary estimates we see that there is about $11 million going to the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada. As you know, we had board members of the AHRAC who had resigned, as well as some current board members and the president, Elinor Wilson, appear here at committee. I'm wondering, after that committee meeting, in light of the allegations of improper spending at AHRAC, are you planning on doing a financial audit of this agency?
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
I look forward to tabling the audit within the next week or so. I've reviewed it, and there are no concerns there at all.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
That's an accounting audit, which is quite different from a financial audit.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
I'm asking for an audit to figure out where the money went, and not whether the numbers add up.
They're doing an accounting audit--one plus one equals two. What I think Canadians are concerned about is where the money is actually going; what it's being spent on; why there are contracts totalling $80,000 to $100,000 for one person; why most of the staff is contract staff and temporary staff; and how they can possibly be spending $5 million a year when they actually aren't producing regulations. I think the bigger concern for Canadians is where the money is going.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
As I said, I'm looking forward to tabling those audits. There are a number of audits happening. This organization has been audited more than any other organization that I'm aware of, and once that information is available, I'd be happy to share it with you.
Based on what I have seen so far, within the financial piece at least, there are no worries. I'm not concerned about that financial audit, which is a requirement of organizations. If you have information that we need to investigate, then come forward. Otherwise, it's allegations, and we're looking and looking and looking and spending resources on audits that may not necessarily be required. So if you have information, share it with me and I'll be happy to follow up.
Thank you.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
But in terms of specifically where you want us to target, let me know. There's funding that is being spent within that organization for ATIPs and they've had to hire contractors to assist in responding to a number of ATIPs--
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
It's a lot of resources, and the decision by the previous government that the head office would also be in Vancouver means there's travel and so on that is necessary.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
But on that kind of audit, I can provide information to the members. I know that Dr. Hamm has also been willing to share information. He has shared decisions of the board, the motions of the board members. That has all been public and it is public, so it's available to you.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Okay, thank you.
Regarding Bill C-32, we had a big success with banning flavoured cigarillos and flavoured tobacco products. That was a great success, and I know you and my predecessor, Judy Wasylycia-Leis, worked quite closely on that, but we do have a problem with some cigarillos. What some of the companies have done, as you know, is to take out the filter to make the cigarillos bigger so they can skirt the definitions.
Does the government have plans to close that loophole?
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
Yes, we have to investigate and follow up within the legislation, the regulations.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
I would love to make an announcement on that. I have to wait and see my staff and investigate the process as we discover.... This isn't a moving target, as you know, so we'll be happy to report any findings on that.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Thank you.
I'd like to ask some questions about suicide prevention. As we know, government committed in the throne speech to an injury prevention strategy for children, and we know that suicide is the leading cause of death of first nation children, first nation youth, and the second leading cause of death for youth in Canada generally. Right now, PHAC doesn't directly fund any organizations to raise the awareness of suicide or work on suicide prevention, so I'm wondering if the government has plans to put together a suicide prevention strategy.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
You mentioned youth. Our government invested $65 million over five years, and you mentioned a national aboriginal youth suicide prevention strategy. We're providing $285 million over two years to renew the aboriginal health programs in the areas of diabetes and suicide prevention.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
A point for clarification. I'm sorry to interrupt, but I didn't hear. Did you say there is a youth suicide prevention strategy?
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Nunavut, NU
We implemented, in the period 2005 to 2010, a five-year national aboriginal youth suicide prevention strategy.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative