Evidence of meeting #3 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was report.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
So we have the motion before the committee. We've had it for 48 hours. Is there debate on the motion?
Mr. Fletcher.
Conservative
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The first point I'd like to make is that there is no moratorium on breast implants. That is actually not correct. Also, Health Canada acts as the regulator for medical devices, and it has not completed its review of the application of the licences for these products.
The other point I'd like to make is that it is ultimately the minister's responsibility under the Food and Drugs Act and its regulations, not the committee's. I think it would be a better use of the committee's time to focus on Bill C-5. Let's get that through, and then move on to issues such as this.
Thank you.
Liberal
Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville, ON
To respond to the parliamentary secretary, Mr. Chairman, we're quite aware that the responsibility lies with the minister. But you'll recall that last year, admittedly with a different group of parliamentarians, we were pretty unanimous in our concern about this issue. The idea at the time was that if we could reach a unanimous position on it, the minister, whether it was the minister last year or the new minister, would be grateful for our advice. And that is how we have to look at our committee, I think. Otherwise, why bother coming to the meetings unless we think the work we do is helpful to whoever has the responsibility.
Now, from what we've seen so far, we seem to have a very reasonable minister. He's new to the federal scene and federal responsibilities, and certainly he's doing very well, but we can't expect him to be up on every little file. So it seems to me that any work we can do to lift it off his shoulders would be helpful.
As far as Bill C-5 is concerned, I agree with you, that's the next order of business. But I understand that's true from the chair; that's what we're doing on Tuesday. We are going to get Bill C-5 through.
This is just another piece of that grouping of subjects that we mentioned at the earlier meeting, which is what I call cleanup of work we started. We really didn't draw any conclusions on this.
So I think Madam Demers is just suggesting.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
In my opinion, there is no contradiction between consideration of Bill C-5 on the Canada Public Health Agency and a call for a moratorium on the sale of breast implants. We are being told to wait until the product is approved, but in the meantime there is a vacuum that exists. If we are aware that we need to protect women... This is an issue that is of considerable concern to Quebeckers. There was a documentary that educated people about the danger of using these implants filled with silicone gel. I believe that we have a duty to stop the use of these silicone gel implants.
Thank you.
Conservative
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
I don't disagree with what the vice-chair, Ms. Brown, or the Bloc's...with the intent. But the word “moratorium” is not actually accurate, so I wonder if we could make a friendly amendment to have the minister come to committee before any final decision is made. Perhaps he could come to committee after we've had some other witnesses who have a certain expertise in that, and also follow along with the other motion.
So we'd take out the word “moratorium”. We would have the witnesses, as per the other motions, and then have the minister in to hear what the committee has to say.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
We have Madam Demers, Mr. Dykstra, and Ms. Priddy on for debate.
I think we're getting hung up a little bit on the wording. If it's a moratorium.... I think it's under licence right now. Is it the intent to do it under licence, or is the intent of your motion to have a moratorium on it?
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Mr. Chairman, the sale of breast implants containing silicone gel has not been permitted in Canada since 1992 because there were problems in the 1980s caused by silicone gel breast implants.
Conservative
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
They could only be obtained through the medical devices special access program. In case the parliamentary secretary is not aware of it, that information comes from Health Canada. Moreover, the minister must absolutely... That motion was adopted earlier.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
No, I understand that.
Is your intent in your motion to continue it on this licensing until evidence comes forward?
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Yes, definitely. Until we have met with the people and we are sure that these implants are safe.
I want a moratorium now.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Fair enough. So that's the licensing one.
I don't want to hold anybody back.
Ms. Davidson.
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Again, I just wanted some clarification, and perhaps the previous speaker has given that. I was a little confused on whether or not there is a moratorium.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
I think you can access silicone breast implants under a special licence at the present time, and I understand the mover to say let's leave it that way until evidence comes forward.
That's the direction you want to give the minister. Is that right?
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
She's not asking to change what's in place already.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Yes, status quo.
Are we okay with that, then? Do we need to labour this any longer?
Mr. Dykstra.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
If we're just going to make an adjustment to the motion, which I'm perfectly happy with, I would understand that the sentence would then read, “That the Standing Committee on Health ask the Minister of Health to maintain the special licence on the sale of silicone”.
Is that what...?
Liberal
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
I do need clarification as to how...it sounds like “maintain the moratorium” isn't the correct language. What is the correct language that needs to be put in there so we can move forward?
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
We might be able to resolve the situation by moving an amendment to the motion calling on the minister to wait before making his decision, until we have all the information.
--that the minister delay his decision until we get all the information to make sure the implants are safe for a woman.