House of Commons Hansard #62 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was research.

Topics

Multiple SclerosisGovernment Orders

11 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Chair, I will start with the issue of funding. The funding that is being allocated is less than what has been requested, and the parliamentary secretary is aware of that. I will say again, with respect, that I disagree with the parliamentary secretary, but very clearly the requests have come in, the funding has not been provided to the extent that the requests have come in and very clearly asked the government for that. The government has to provide more funding to fast-track this. I simply do not accept the parliamentary secretary's idea that somehow adequate funding is being provided.

This is a crisis. The size and scope is extremely important. It has to be addressed and the funding has to be provided. Partial funding simply does not cut it. A number of hon. members have made that very clear tonight.

Do I disagree with the professional due diligence approach? Not at all, but treatment has to be done simultaneously, as the research continues and is broadened and deepened on this issue.

Multiple SclerosisGovernment Orders

11 p.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Mr. Chair, just some points of clarification again. We do venoplasty of jugular veins when a dialysis catheter causes a stenosis, so we have done this prior to this work.

With respect to the meeting that the government is planning, I would request that it needs to bring in experts on CCSVI. If it brings in neurologists with no experience or knowledge on venous disease, we will have no benefit. The money needs to be spent by those with a fundamental knowledge of CCSVI.

Right now, there are less than ten Zamboni-trained technicians in Canada. I would just like to stress that Canada has a chance to be a true leader in this country if we take action now, if we get diagnosis and treatment for people living with this disease and we give this $10 million that the MS Society has asked for.

Multiple SclerosisGovernment Orders

11:05 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Chair, I thank the member for Etobicoke North for her question and for her work. She has been a very strong advocate for MS sufferers, and that has to be underlined.

She is absolutely right not only on the funding question, but also on the idea that the conference actually approaches to move things forward on CCSVI. It cannot be a debate about whether or not to move forward. It has to be a debate around how to move forward, how to move forward as quickly as possible, ensuring due diligence. I used the analogy of a flood or a fire. Professionals do not simply go in to quell the fire or to staunch the flood. The professionals come in, determine by which method they will move by all means possible and as quickly as possible, and then they work to address the crisis.

This conference must be seen as a crisis management conference and must move forward as quickly as possible. I certainly share her comments, that Canada has to lead the world on MS research and treatment. We have to lead the world. That has to be our objective.

Multiple SclerosisGovernment Orders

11:05 p.m.

NDP

Jim Maloway NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB

Mr. Chair, it seems to me that the more I listen to the debate here, the more the government is actually losing ground. It has lost ground vis-à-vis the provinces over the last year.

It seems to me that we should be taking the member for Etobicoke North and putting her in charge of the program because I think she has a better potential for getting the premiers and the health ministers across the country on side and getting a program.

I mentioned before that on H1N1, the government had a plan. It got the provinces together, albeit not all of the provinces were on the same page but the government got them together and the program was delivered in a timely fashion.

The government should be able to do the same thing here. It is just incapable of getting the job done.

Multiple SclerosisGovernment Orders

11:05 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Chair, I thank the member for Elmwood—Transcona for his comments. He has been a very strong advocate on this issue, as well.

I think if one takes the idea that this is not a crisis and needs to be addressed in the longer term, perhaps the government members would be justified in saying that the government has provided some funding, so that is all right.

However, we are not talking about some kind of research that is not addressing a chronic and serious health crisis. This is a chronic and serious health crisis, as the member for Elmwood—Transcona just mentioned. It is not something that one has to, or should, provide half-measures.

We must be moving forward with all haste, ensuring due diligence that this type of treatment and research requires. I believe there has to be a fine balance, but the government has to put in more resources, has to address it as a crisis, and has to assure Canadians, MS sufferers and their families that it is doing everything possible to address this as rapidly as possible.

Multiple SclerosisGovernment Orders

11:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Andrew Scheer

It being 11:09 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 53(1), the committee will rise and I will leave the chair.

(Government Business No. 5 reported)

Multiple SclerosisGovernment Orders

11:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

Accordingly the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 11:09 p.m.)