Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I want to clarify to Canadians who are watching just how ill-advised some of our members are. Mental health issues, when they are medical, are in fact covered. They will be and have always been exempt from GST/HST. So the statements made by my colleague are inaccurate, and false, in fact. People will not be resisting getting treatment because of this, because this does not affect treatment at all in any way, shape, or form. I want to make that clear.
On this side, of course, the government has sitting at the table a police officer, a nurse, and a defence lawyer, who have all been involved in cases that were cited here. It is absolutely untrue that victims of crime and people who suffer with mental health issues are not going to be exempt from GST/HST for medical purposes. I just want Canadians to know what's being said is absolutely false. It's fearmongering, and I feel for people who are now starting to second-guess whether or not they can get treatment exempt from GST/HST.
We encourage them to get treatment; it will be exempt from GST/HST. But when you provide assessments for legal purposes, that is what won't be covered.
Lay this to rest and stop scaring Canadians.
Thank you.