House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2008, with 30% of the vote.
Health Care May 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the enforcement of the Canada Health Act is certainly very workable and it is done very quietly, very methodically, systematically and pragmatically.
In this case we are guaranteeing that all Canadians, especially all residents of British Columbia, have access to a doctor regardless of whether they have money or not.
Health Care May 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it was not a choice I had. I had a duty to enforce the Canada Health Act.
The Canada Health Act is very specific. Extra billing is not allowed. Once a year provinces are asked to submit a report on the extra billing that is going on in their province. When this report was sent to me I had no choice but to act on it because extra billing restricts access for people.
I ask the hon. member, how can paying extra money for a physician give everybody better access? All it does is make some physicians richer than others.
Health Care May 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, accessibility is a case of affordability as well as timeliness.
When extra billing is involved it means that some people very much do not have access to treatment. We are looking at all five principles to make sure that as much as is possible within our system we can withstand the pressures that are there. We have the best health care system in the world, bar none.
Health May 11th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. I want to affirm to all Canadians today that the government takes its responsibilities very seriously.
We want to tell all Canadians that yes, their health care system will be protected. They will be treated based on their need, not on their wants and not on the size of their pocketbooks.
Health May 11th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to stand in the House today to say that the principles and the values of the Canada Health Act will prevail.
I do not believe that any Canadian whose life is threatened imminently has had to wait for two years for surgery.
Hepatitis C May 11th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, might I add that it might be in the best interest of all Canadians who fear they might have contacted hepatitis C due to a blood transfusion to be in contact with their physicians. That would be very advantageous to anyone who fears that.
Hepatitis C May 11th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I have no reason to believe that there have been any changes, and I am certainly going to ask the people in my department whether anything new has been discovered that would help us treat people with hepatitis C.
Tainted Blood May 11th, 1994
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Tainted Blood May 11th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it was indeed stated on the dates in question that money was available to facilitate the appearance of these groups before the Krever Commission.
It is understood that the amounts are not extravagant, but there will be funds available. They only need to make an application to the Krever Commission and the resources they require will be available.
Pharmaceutical Products May 10th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, let me assure the hon. member that in all cases we are extremely efficient at doing our work at Health Canada.
At no time do we wish to jeopardize the lives of Canadians. At no time will we allow ourselves to not do our work properly because we have been lobbied by one company or another. I speak for Health Canada from the day I took over on November 4.