Evidence of meeting #1 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mrs. Carmen DePape
Nancy Miller Chenier  Committee Researcher

12:05 p.m.

NDP

Penny Priddy NDP Surrey North, BC

Thank you. I may ask some questions that new kids on the block ask, since I have not sat at this table before.

This is with regard to how we would prioritize looking at the areas of interest that people have. I'm not in any way wishing to suggest that one person's interest is more important or less important. They are all important. Some areas, however, have more timeliness attached to them. I'm thinking of the breast implant decisions that are coming down.

I'm wondering whether in the past the timeliness of the issue was taken into consideration with regard to the work done at the health committee. I'm wondering whether the timeliness of the issue also has some impact on how we take on that work. In an election campaign, for instance, you'd say there's no point putting up signs after the election is over. In the same way, there's no point taking on an issue after decisions have been made that are irrevocable.

Could you give me some understanding of that, please?

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

From my understanding, these two issues left over were commitments. The first one was a commitment from the department.

12:05 p.m.

NDP

Penny Priddy NDP Surrey North, BC

No, I understand that.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

We're a long way along on that one. I think it's very timely. They've even had extra time to deal with that as a department.

On the second one, it is quite relevant. We had an issue that was brought forward. I believe Madam Demers spearheaded that issue. I believe it is timely to get an update as to what went on. We were actually interrupted on that issue by the election call.

I think we need some update, and I think it would be quite timely.

12:05 p.m.

NDP

Penny Priddy NDP Surrey North, BC

I'm not sure I'm understanding your answer. More likely, I'm not asking my question clearly enough.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

I thought you were asking whether these two issues that we decided next week...were of value as far as timeliness is concerned.

12:05 p.m.

NDP

Penny Priddy NDP Surrey North, BC

No. I mean, they clearly are, and I realize they were left over. I'm talking about as a general principle when we look at those issues. Do we look at ones that, if we leave them for four months, are too late to talk about because the decision has passed?

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

That's future business discussion, and we'll deal with that next week, on Tuesday.

Madam Gagnon.

12:05 p.m.

Bloc

Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC

There will probably be a vote in the House on Monday on the bill dealing with the Public Health Agency of Canada. The bill will then be referred to committee. Do you know whether it will be referred to the committee before we adjourn? We are going to have to summon witnesses. I imagine that this is what the committee will have to address in the immediate future.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

That's a good point. I think you should be preparing suggestions for witnesses as we take that piece of legislation forward. When legislation comes to committee, it takes precedence. Once that piece of legislation comes, it likely will take care of the next little while.

Mr. Fletcher and then Mr. Batters.

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB

Mr. Chair, I think we have members of the official opposition.... It looks like this meeting may be wrapping up. We have the agenda, the Standing Orders; perhaps these issues would be better dealt with on Tuesday, when we've had the vote, and when we have a better idea of what the future may be.

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Yes, I think that's right, and that's what I said.

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK

That was going to be my formal recommendation, Mr. Chair. I would ask that you maybe report back to the entire committee on Tuesday on your vision for planning of future business, whether that be in the full committee or whether that be in the steering committee, which may be a great venue for these discussions, to hash out some of these issues.

If you could get back to us on Tuesday with your vision of how this is going to work, it would help all members of the committee.

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Sure.

Thank you. I declare the meeting over.