David Dingwall

[Pesticides Products Control Act, October 24th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will be aware that this subject matter is receiving careful and serious consideration in terms of consultations across the country.

The purpose of the review of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency is to provide good and easy access for farmers in this country who need those pesticides, but also in terms of the environmental concerns so that Canadians and their health are protected.

We are in the final stages of our consultations with farming groups and others. I hope to be in a position to come back to the House in due course in order to introduce this legislation.

[Tobacco, October 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to receive the support of the Reform Party as it relates to our blueprint and the direction in which we wish to proceed in terms of tobacco.

The hon. member has quite wrongly described the best solution as it relates to tobacco consumption in this country. We hope to move forward in a comprehensive way which will address a variety of things from enforcement to the proliferation of youth smoking.

The hon. members yell out from their seats. It has taken them three weeks to come up with a question with regard to tobacco. I say to the hon. members opposite that the legislation we are intending to introduce will come relatively soon.

[Tobacco, October 2nd, 1996]

No, Mr. Speaker.

[The Fight Against Tobacco Use, October 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for the question. The subject matter has received some public attention in the last number of weeks.

I wish to share with the House that, since we issued the blueprint in November 1995, there have been over 2,300 different submissions from Canadians from different regions of the country.

We are in the process of examining our proposals as they relate to the charter to make sure that we are not back in court as we were on a previous occasion with the legislation. When we do come

forward, we will have comprehensive legislation that will address the needs, not only of the health groups across the country but the young people of this country as well.

[The Fight Against Aids, September 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have attempted over the last number of months to explain to AIDS activists that for the seeking of finances for the year 1998-99, our budgetary process does not allow for that.

I also suggested to community activists and AIDS activists that they would be much better off if they were to outline across the country the various successes the federal government and the provincial governments have made co-operatively in terms of fighting this terrible disease.

I say to those who raise this question: yes, AIDS is a very serious issue; yes, the Government of Canada takes it very seriously. I would hope that AIDS activists instead of protesting, instead of thrashing Health Canada booths and things of that nature, would stand up and let the country and Parliament know the successes they have had in co-operation with governments and all others.

[The Fight Against Aids, September 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly respect the request that is being made of governments by activists in the AIDS community. I wish to congratulate them for the efforts they put forward yesterday in terms of their fundraising activities.

The role of the Government of Canada to date has been very significant particularly for fiscal years 1996-97 and 1997-98. Thereafter moneys will be provided under a population health strategy. Over the next number of months I will continue my consultations with AIDS activists. If there is to be a change in that policy, I will certainly take the House into my confidence.

[Health, September 26th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is well known for her interest and advocacy of women's rights. I believe the hon. member as well as other members of the House will be happy to learn that my department has now changed the policy.

In the past it was not mandatory for women to be included for the purposes of drug trials. As of yesterday it is now mandatory that all drug companies will have to include women in their various test trials before they make submissions to have their drugs approved.

[Aids, September 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have to say I disagree with the premise of the hon. member's question.

In point of fact, there has been a lot of work by both respective departments. The Department of Health as well as the solicitor general have moved on a number of issues.

However, the recommendations which have been contained in the report that has been released emphasize that there has to be more focused work as it relates to research. We intend to do that.

[Aids, September 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raises a question that has a number of recommendations for the Ministry of Health.

We hope to be working more co-operatively with the solicitor general and move on the recommendations that have been announced both in terms of research and in terms of surveillance.

[Questions On The Order Paper, September 16th, 1996]

The government is now evaluating the results of Canada's Drug Strategy (CDS). This work will be completed in March 1997. In the meantime, the government knows from the results of the second national survey on alcohol and other drugs issues conducted in the Fall 1994, there has been a decrease in the number of Canadians who drink alcohol, since 1989. Similarly there has been a reduction in the percentage of people who drive after consuming two or more drinks in the previous hour, and a reduction in the use of some illicit drugs. The findings of the CDS evaluation will guide decisions regarding future initiatives to reduce substance abuse. The evaluation will look at the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs and at the extent to which the needs of youth, women, seniors and off-reserve Aboriginal people with regards to substance abuse have been addressed.

The Standing Committee on Health is currently undertaking a study to review Canada's drug policy. The Committee plans to study substances that have the potential to cause harm to individuals when abused or misused, including legal drugs such as those contained in alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, solvents and prescription drugs as well as illegal drugs such as cannabis, heroin and LSD.

Question No. 51-