Evidence of meeting #55 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I understand Mr. Bigras' concerns, but I just don't read those concerns into this group that's getting together. I appreciate and respect the jurisdiction of the provinces, but this is an advisory group. They're used all the time under Health Canada, with beneficial consequences.
(Subamendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
On the main amendment, G-9.1, is there any other discussion?
Mr. McGuinty.
Liberal
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Mr. Cullen earlier raised the issue of removing the words “take steps to” in paragraph 6(d). Is that gone?
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
This is back to the paragraph 6(e). We heard the witnesses say that thousands of devices would have to be listed. We simply don't read it that way--there wouldn't be the labelling and introducing of this comparative list.
So I propose a subamendment that would add language in paragraph 6(e) after “that” so it would say “and list the DEHP-containing medical devices”.
These are categories of devices. The intention is not to label the tens of thousands of devices. We have lists of these available to us already. I presented them at committee. This is meant to help administrators and people who are purchasing products choose. We don't see this as onerous, because it's being done right now by industry groups.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
We have discussed that with officials and have been advised. Does anyone want any more information regarding this subamendment?
Can we get the wording again, Mr. Cullen, please?
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Sure. It would read: “and list the DEHP-containing medical devices these devices can replace”.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
No, it goes right after “that”, some seven or eight words before the end.
Excuse me, just before “that”, not just after.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
So to read “that do not contain”, and then right after that you would add--
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Yes, “and list the DEPH-containing medical devices these devices can replace”.
Conservative
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Exactly. It may not be the best grammar in the world, but it's intention-based.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
Our clerk is having difficulty knowing exactly what our subamendment is.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
The intention of this—and perhaps the clerk can suggest language—is that paragraph (e) here talks about, within 18 month of the coming into force, preparing a list of medical devices that do not contain DEHP. All we're asking for is that the list that says these devices do not contain it lead directly to administrators, who are looking to replace devices, being able to say, this is what replaces what; there's a new product out by So-and-so; or a new device has been created DEHP-free, and it replaces this one that right now has it in it.
There's advice given like this all the time, so....
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
I think what I heard from our officials is that the list might be quite large, and they would not simply say one product replaces; there might in fact be many that would replace. That is my interpretation of what we heard.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Our understanding from the advice is that it's not in the thousands, it's more the categories of the devices that leads you to hundreds.
Associate Director General, Therapeutic Products Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
If we are looking at all medical devices that contain DEHP, we are talking about approximately 10,000. So for an individual category...and let's pick an arbitrary category like catheters that contain DEHP. Within that category of catheters, there are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 different individually numbered catheters. They may be different lengths or different lumens or made in different ways or made by different companies, and there are individual differences. There may be similarities by category, but we really are dealing with tens of thousands of products.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
We've heard the subamendment, and I think we're prepared to vote on that subamendment.
Does anyone want to hear it again?
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
So now we're back to new clause 3.2, which is amendment G-9.1 with, of course, the changes made by the mover.
(Amendment agreed to on division)