Questions on the Order Paper May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), Health Canada received a total of 1663 comments on the proposed marijuana for medical purposes regulations, MMPR, during the 75-day public comment period, which ended on February 28, 2013. Comments received by mail after this deadline that were postmarked before the end of the public comment period were included in this count.

With regard to (b)(i) and (b)(ii), of the 1663 comments received, 1317 comments proposed changing the regulations, 77 expressed support for the regulations and 269 had mixed views. A summary of the comments will be included in the regulatory impact assessment statement when published in the Canada Gazette, part II later this year.

With regard to (b)(iii), the three areas on for which Health Canada received the most comments were the elimination of personal production of marijuana in favour of a regulated commercial or industrial production, the estimated cost to purchase marihuana for medical purposes from licensed producers and the limitation of products to dried marijuana only.

Health May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier this week, the provincial committee is examining jurisdictional questions surrounding the drug service providers. Marchese has never applied for federal regulatory approval. We have proposed an interim solution to ensure that all drug service providers fall within federal or provincial regulations. We plan to continue to work closely with the provinces and the territories to address this issue.

Taxation May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, let me repeat myself. Economic action plan 2013 is about job creation and skills development. We have decreased taxes 150 times, giving families $3,000 more annually.

Let me identify some of the tax measures we have made. We have reduced the GST, and we have introduced the universal child care benefit and the children's arts tax credit. There are a number of initiatives that support Canadian middle-class families.

Again, why will the Liberals not support these important measures?

Taxation May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, the cornerstone of economic action plan 2013 is about job creation and skills development.

Our government has decreased taxes 150 times, saving families $3,000 annually. The federal tax burden is at the lowest level in nearly 50 years. These are important initiatives that will support Canadian middle-class families.

Why will the Liberals not support these initiatives?

Canadian Heritage May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, we have no intention of telling the provinces and/or territories how to teach history. We have been very clear about wanting Canadians to reconnect with their proud history and heritage.

Government Expenditures May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, again, that is a misleading question. Let us again hear what the Auditor General actually said. He stated:

We didn’t find anything that gave us cause for concern that the money was used in any way that it should not have been.

We are going to listen to the Auditor General.

Government Expenditures May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, there is no truth to that question. Let us hear what the Auditor General actually said. He stated:

We didn’t find anything that gave us cause for concern that the money was used in any way that it should not have been.

We are going to listen to the Auditor General.

Health May 1st, 2013

Mr. Speaker, our government is the single largest investor in research around the country. We invested in pathways to health equity, and one of the five priority areas identified under that $25 million program was related to oral health.

The provinces and the territories deliver health care. We continue to increase transfers to the provinces and the territories because they know best where to prioritize the delivery.

Meanwhile, the member for Western Arctic continues to vote against them.

Health May 1st, 2013

Mr. Speaker, as I stated yesterday, a provincial committee is examining the jurisdictional question surrounding the drug service provider.

Marchese has never applied for regulatory approval. We have proposed interim solutions to provide assistance to the province to ensure that drug service providers fall within federal or provincial regulation, and we plan to work closely with the provinces and territories to address this matter.