Grant Hill

[Health, September 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, that is actually the first time I have heard the minister say that she is concerned about an improvement to the system which she has continually said is excellent and needs no changes. Frankly the patients, the people of Canada, expect no more hidebound, old fashioned statements. Rather, they would prefer to see changes that will improve our system.

Will this minister stop making those old fashioned statements that simply try to cover her tracks?

[Health, September 23rd, 1994]

The health minister has stated that Canada's blood supply system does not need to have as strict standards as those in the U.S. Frankly, that is hogwash. Will the minister raise her standards so that all Canadians will once again feel safe?

[Petitions, September 21st, 1994]

The final petition asks for protection of the unborn child.

[Petitions, September 21st, 1994]

The second petition asks Parliament not to change any legislation relating to euthanasia.

[Petitions, September 21st, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I have four petitions to present today, two that relate to opposition to same sex couples, homosexuality and sexual orientation.

[Points Of Order, September 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question was ruled out of order and I would like to request a ruling on that please.

[Health, September 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, on February 18 in the House my colleague from Surrey North warned the Minister of Health about the differences between the Canadian blood supply and the U.S. blood supply. The minister's answer was do not worry. We are inspecting the blood supply and by March this will all be taken care of.

If those inspections had been done, we would not be in the pickle we are in today. Were those inspections done, or was this simply to cover the minister's gluteus maximus?

[Time Allocation, June 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, a valued friend of mine has quietly passed away, unheralded by jaded media, shunted aside by cynical forces, a battered veteran, a hero of past battles. This poem expresses my sorrow:

You fought the fight When weaker forces paled. You stood for freedom When others shrank and failed. Your final days will never be forlorn. We mourn your passing, The flag is rent and torn.

Yes, closure crushes the life from democracy. We mourn, we mourn, we mourn.

[Excise Tax Act, June 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly do not think the health minister should resign on this issue. The minister has enough trouble without worrying about resigning on this issue.

Traditionally the health minister on an issue like this would be the strongest and most vocal supporter of the health of Canadians. I did watch with interest to see whether that took place. I am dismayed to report to this House that I do not believe it did take place. There seems to me to be at least four individuals who should vote against this bill.

I would strongly state that the Minister of Health should stand in this House and state her opposition to anything that would do what this bill will do and that is increase cigarette smoking in our youth. I state that strongly.

[Excise Tax Act, June 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I happen to have some research and data on that issue. I think we should maybe join up in Question Period. We could have a very similar process as I see across the way.

Smoking increase is the first in 30 years, and this actually came across the wire this morning from Toronto on CP. For the first time in 30 years tobacco use is on the rise in Ontario and women account for most of the new smokers.

Among those women age 18 and older smoking soared to 25 per cent this year from 19 per cent in 1993. These particular data suggest that the availability of cheaper cigarettes has halted the decline. In Canada that decline in smoking has been going on for 30 years and has perhaps reversed the trend. The fellow who conducted the research at the foundation said the greater increase for women is consistent with the fact that women's lower incomes make them more price sensitive than men and more likely to react to the tax cuts.

One of the tragedies in medicine is that women have overtaken men in terms of cigarette smoking, and cancer of the lungs in women has now overtaken the other horrible cancer in women, breast cancer, as one of the major causes of female death. Preventable illness-there is nothing in medicine more satisfying than preventing disease.

These data are the first data we have had made available to us. It has not been very long since these proposals have been on the books. Surely 30 years of decline in smoking with a sudden spike tells us something. This spike has nothing whatever to do with legal or illegal cigarettes. It is simply a spike, an indication. As we get more indications I think the government will backtrack on this bill. Why backtrack on it when we can prevent it right now?