Ujjal Dosanjh

[Health, October 18th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, there is a trust fund established by the courts. Contributors to that trust fund are the federal and provincial governments. We need to speak to those partners. We need to speak to the lawyers of the plaintiffs. We need to then approach the courts to take a look at whether or not there is an actuarial surplus. We are in the process of doing exactly that.

[Health, October 18th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member neither listens to me nor reads the press clippings carefully.

What we did say was that there may be potentially an actuarial surplus in the fund and that actuarial surplus would have to be determined by the court. We will have to work with the provinces and territories to ensure that we can look at that surplus, and we will of course have to talk with the lawyers of the plaintiffs.

It is important that we treat this issue seriously. This is an issue of serious injury to ordinary people across the country.

[Health, October 18th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, after I left, I did not know whether they had anything to give over there. I honestly did not know.

We established a task force headed by the minister of health from B.C. and myself as co-chairs. We are going to look at bulk purchasing. We are going to look at national formulary. We want to make sure that we build the blocks so that eventually we may have a national pharmacare plan across the country.

[Health, October 18th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I want the member to remember that we just poured $41 billion into health care for the next 10 years. I just want him to remember that.

We are the defenders and protectors of health care. I am looking at the Canada Health Act situation with respect to the Montreal clinic. It is very important that we review the situation. It is also important that we deal with these issues in an amicable way to make sure that the spirit of the act survives and that across the country public health care thrives every day.

[Health, October 13th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we have poured $41 billion into health care for the next 10 years. We are going to have national benchmarks. We are going to have comparable indicators. We are going to have reduced wait times. We are defending, enhancing and improving public health care. If there is any violation, we shall enforce the Canada Health Act.

[Health, October 13th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it is that side that wants private health care in Canada. We are the defenders of public health care in Canada.

I want to tell those on the opposite side that in the upcoming election this is going to be an issue again. They will be on that side again after the next election.

[Health, October 13th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we are the defenders and protectors of public health care--

[Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, October 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue that has two aspects for me. One is the safety of Canadians. The other is the adequate supply of these drugs. Neither of those two is in jeopardy at this time. We are monitoring the situation.

I would be happy to talk to the ministers of health whom I will meet next weekend in Vancouver. This is not on the official agenda but it is obviously an issue of concern to all Canadians.

[Health, October 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I said the other day in the House, the government has invested $1.6 billion on hep C victims and $300 million out of those funds has gone to the provinces to care for the needs of the patients before 1986 and after 1990. It is important that the provinces become accountable to their own citizens and to the victims in this case.

[Health, October 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we already did. We will be passing on $41 billion to the provinces over the next 10 years so that public health care will be strengthened in this country. I support public health care. The government supports public health care. We support public delivery. We want to make sure the Canada Health Act is enforced across the country. If there is anything we can do under the Canada Health Act it will be done.