Evidence of meeting #42 for Finance in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was health.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Members speaking

Before the committee

Holmes  Executive Director, Business Enablement and Regulatory Services, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Laforce  Director General, Department of Health
Coulombe  Director General, Legislation, Sales Tax Division, Department of Finance
Brown  Senior Director, Financial Sector Integrity and National Security, Department of Finance
Marion  Senior Director, Payments Policy, Financial Services Division, Department of Finance
Countryman  Director General, Federal-Provincial Relations, Department of Finance
Maxson  Senior Director, Employment and Education, Personal Income Tax Division, Department of Finance
Hancey  Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Health
Heath MacDonald  Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Marjorie Michel  Minister of Health
Patty Hajdu  Minister of Jobs and Families
Groen  Associate Deputy Minister and Chief Operating Officer for Service Canada, Department of Employment and Social Development
Janeiro  Director, Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence
Saunders  Chief Executive Officer, Community Living Toronto
Haan  President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
Willbond  Chief Accessibility Officer, March of Dimes Canada
MacKenzie  National Director, Public Affairs, Advocacy, and Strategic Communications, March of Dimes Canada

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

There is no plan to offer restrictions.

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

I already told you. The board of directors makes the decision.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

I'm going to revisit this question, because I didn't hear you at the very end.

Your senior deputy minister is a federally appointed member on the Canada Health Infoway board. Was there ever a time that she voted against giving Michael Green a performance award during his time managing PrescribeIT? I didn't hear your response.

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

I told you that I didn't know because I don't take part in these meetings. Infoway's board of directors is an independent board. These reports don't come across my desk.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

You don't even know if your own official was providing bonuses to the person who was responsible for the PrescribeIT program.

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

I believe that the board of directors makes these decisions. I don't interfere with the board of directors of an independent entity.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

Minister, you're spending lots of money, and there are lots of health issues, as we can tell. I can't understand why you can't spend some time and make sure that you come to the health committee to explain all these questions that we have.

Can you commit today that you'll come to the health committee before the summer break to explain all this?

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

I already told you, Mr. Mazier, that I won't be making that commitment.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

You have—

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

It isn't as if I've never appeared before the Standing Committee on Health. I've appeared five times, I believe.

I can't tell you today that I'll commit to appearing before the end of the parliamentary year.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

Why not?

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

I won't commit to it, because I can't do that today. That's all. I've always appeared before the committee when invited to do so. However, I can't commit to it today or by the end of the month.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

Have you read the entire agreement between Canadian Blood Services and Grifols?

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

No. I mean, yes, I read it.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

You have not.

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

Yes, I read it.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

Oh, you have. Does anything in the agreement concern you?

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

First, there have certainly been issues with the agreement entered into with Grifols. Two people died recently in Manitoba. That's obviously very sad.

That said, there isn't yet a direct link with Grifols. This is still under investigation. We're monitoring the situation closely and working with the provinces.

You must also understand that the contract with Grifols is the result of an agreement with the provinces. The provinces have their part to play. It isn't just the federal government's responsibility.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

I was asking about the agreement. When you read the agreement, was there anything that concerned you?

Marjorie Michel Liberal Papineau, QC

No.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

No.

Is there anything in the agreement that allows Canadian-donated plasma—

Jake Sawatzky Liberal New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville, BC

I have a point of order.

The Chair Liberal Karina Gould

Mr. Sawatzky, go ahead with your point of order.

Jake Sawatzky Liberal New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville, BC

Madam Chair, I wanted to bring this back to relevance to Bill C-30. Once again, I think we've gone far off topic.

The Chair Liberal Karina Gould

Thank you, Mr. Sawatzky.

I'm going to allow the question, but you have about five seconds remaining in your time.