David Dingwall

[Patent Protection, April 24th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, not wanting to concur with the preamble of the hon. member's question, the government has just received a copy of the report on Bill C-91. Ministers will have an opportunity to examine it at a subsequent stage.

Notwithstanding the member's strong intervention, the Minister of Industry and I have given the view of the government as it relates to the 20 year patent and, in particular, our international obligations. I think that is clear to the country. I think it is clear to various health groups. It is certainly clear to provincial governments, notwithstanding whatever political mischief they may wish to engage in on this issue.

[Health, April 23rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, let it be understood by the hon. member opposite and those who support that political party there is no question provincial governments have jurisdiction in the field of health. It is also clear under the provisions of the Constitution that the Government of Canada has responsibility and jurisdiction when it comes to the field of health.

I cannot understand why the Bloc Quebecois does not want to support senior citizens when it comes to pharma care or home care. I say to the Bloc and I say to the people of Quebec that we should work together for senior citizens in Quebec and across the country.

[Health, April 23rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite is only about four months late in assessing what this government has done and said with regard to health care.

The national forum indicated quite clearly to all Canadians that governments, both federal and provincial, examine the prospects of a national home care program and a national pharmacare program.

I do not understand why members of the Bloc Quebecois do not want to support senior citizens across the country and senior citizens in the province of Quebec. I think it is very important that the Government of Canada work co-operatively with all provinces to establish those programs for senior citizens all across the country.

[Anti-Smoking Legislation, April 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry that members of the Bloc have decided to be partisan on this issue.

Let us keep in mind that on second reading members of the Bloc were in favour of the bill. But when it came to third reading they voted against the principles of this bill, thereby doing a flip-flop in terms of their position as it relates to tobacco.

I suggest to the hon. member and to others that one should not venture into the field of prejudging amendments, whether they be in the form of regulation or thereafter.

We have to embark on a period of consultation. That is part and parcel of the bill and it is part and parcel of what I will do in the future.

[Anti-Smoking Legislation, April 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, we have to keep in mind that the tobacco legislation is a very comprehensive and very effective piece of legislation. It puts restrictions on the price, on the product, on the place and even the promotion. This will be effective in curbing smoking in this country.

With regard to the letter that I have provided to the individuals she has referred to, the hon. member is very much aware that both in the House of Commons as well as in the other place I have indicated to groups across the country that I am prepared to consult in a very meaningful way and if necessary, as I indicated in the letter, changes will be made.

I do not think the hon. member should prejudge what those changes might be.

[Krever Inquiry, April 15th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, it is the supreme court.

[Krever Inquiry, April 15th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has quite incorrectly interpreted the comments of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada made a comment and an observation in terms of providing sufficient time for Justice Krever to make his report.

It has been the position of the government, it has been the position of ministers of health across the country, that we would wait to hear the full report of Justice Krever before making final recommendations as they relate to a national blood authority.

I have asked through the appropriate channels, through PCO, that we go to Justice Krever to try to get an interim report with regard to the issues of governance of the blood system.

Justice Krever did that with regard to an interim report for the safety of the blood system. I asked Justice Krever, on behalf of Canadians, on behalf of consumers, on behalf of health ministers, that we have that kind of information in order that we may take the appropriate action on behalf of all Canadians.

[Krever Inquiry, April 15th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the preamble of the hon. member's question is completely and unequivocally false.

[Health, April 14th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.

For the last year I have been working very closely with ministers of health across the country. We came together just over a year ago and agreed to create a new national blood authority.

Work is continuing with regard to the details and all the aspects as they relate to the new authority. In the meantime ministers of health are anxiously awaiting the decision of Justice Krever, in particular his comments with regard to the whole system of blood governance. As soon as we receive this information from Justice Krever we will be able to proceed quite expeditiously.

To be very specific to the question of the hon. member, yes, accountability and transparency will be first and foremost as they relate to the new national blood authority.

[Health, April 9th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, through you to the hon. member, if my answer appeared to be flippant, I wish to apologize to the House and to the hon. member. I clearly tried to say no.

I think the member has the answer backwards that I provided in view of the suggestion by the hon. member. The onus is on the importer and on the manufacturer of the product to prove to Canadians and to the regulator beyond a shadow of a doubt that the product to come on the market is safe.

That is the fundamental raison d'être of Health Canada, to ensure that all products that come on the market are safe for Canadians.