Evidence of meeting #32 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was regulations.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
However, you did consult the documents on stem cell use and on section 8. Do these documents address certain concerns we, as citizens, should have regarding the use of stem cells?
Director, Ethics Office, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Our concern is making sure that research is done ethically. We don’t touch legislative issues because they are not part of our mandate. I would not be comfortable giving an opinion, as it would be my own and not that of the interested parties.
I’m sorry, but I can’t answer your question.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Witnesses can say anything they want to, and I believe them, but I find it unfortunate that none of them can give us an outsider’s objective opinion on the document. I am in favour of research and stem cells and I know how important this is, but I would have liked for someone to be able to tell us if the documents address people’s concerns.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Some witnesses will be coming forward on that at our next meeting. But your point is well taken.
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Thank you very much for coming before the committee today. I just want to follow up on a few questions my colleague Madame Fry asked. I believe you responded to them, but I would like some more detail.
Even though it is a GIC appointment, have names been brought forward? If so, how many names do you have under consideration right now?
Director General, Policy Development Directorate, Department of Health
Obviously people applied, and all candidates were considered. Their CVs were scrutinized and the selected criteria were applied. I'm sorry, I don't recall the number of individuals who sent in their CVs over the last year and a half or so, but there were 100, if not more. All of those individuals were considered. As I mentioned, the act stipulates a cross-representation of the community as well as the expertise, so they were all considered in that regard.
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Has the board been finalized but just not announced yet?
Director General, Policy Development Directorate, Department of Health
I'm not in a position to answer that question. It's a decision that will be taken by the government. The decision will be announced when the government is ready to announce it.
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Is Preston Manning one of the names under consideration to head up the board?
Director General, Policy Development Directorate, Department of Health
I'm definitely not in a position to respond to that question.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
A question just occurred to me. We're dealing with a very controversial subject, a very difficult subject, perhaps. I think about couples I know where one person has been tragically lost in an accident and the remaining spouse wishes with all—in this case—her heart that they had been able to have a baby. It was just a terrible tragedy that prevented it.
As I sit in this committee today, I've learned an awful lot about this subject, but Canadians coast to coast to coast probably don't know the regulations, the rules regarding consent, and section 8, in this very important and controversial subject—technical subject, I guess.
My question is, has there been any discussion about how we're going to educate the Canadian public regarding this? Perhaps there could be pamphlets made by Health Canada for general practitioners to have in their offices concerning questions regarding assisted human reproduction. This is something that obviously would be very difficult for someone to contemplate and plan for, but I can tell you that when it happens—God forbid that it happens and there's a tragic loss—I know people personally who wish they might have had an avenue to have a baby.
I wonder if you can answer that question about education on the subject for Canadians. Thanks.
Acting Director, Assisted Human Reproduction Implementation Office, Department of Health
It's actually a really pertinent question, but as stated previously, one of the important roles of the agency is to provide education and outreach, and it would be probably one of the roles; this would be one of the things the agency would seriously be considering.
Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, Assisted Human Reproduction Implementation Office, Department of Health
The agency is not yet established and functional, but if you look at other countries that went through a similar process and have an agency, such as the HFEA.... If people go to their website they will start to learn that there's an agency responsible for those issues. I could see something similar in Canada, where you'd have information for patients. You click on it, and there's all sorts of information provided about what you can do and so on. So there's a way of doing it.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
I appreciate that, Ms. Manseau, but what about materials? Is it contemplated that you'll perhaps design materials for physicians' offices, for general practitioners' offices? For me, that makes the best sense—to educate Canadians.
Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, Assisted Human Reproduction Implementation Office, Department of Health
It's another avenue that will be looked at and could possibly be done: pamphlets that could be dropped in different places where those individuals might be seeking the information.
Conservative
Dave Batters Conservative Palliser, SK
Yes, or saying if they have questions, to ask their doctor for information, and that information can be made available regarding rules of consent.
Director General, Policy Development Directorate, Department of Health
This is what's been happening in other countries, where this area has been—
Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, Assisted Human Reproduction Implementation Office, Department of Health
Where there are examples you can look at.
Director General, Policy Development Directorate, Department of Health
Yes, examples.
The other point, just to respond to one of your issues, is that one of the big roles the agency will have is outreach, education, engagement. We've seen in other areas of real public concern, when agencies like this have gone out and engaged individuals, that awareness rises immediately with that type of activity.
We hope the agency will be doing that, along with the members of the board. That would be one of their key roles—along, of course, with enforcement. Outreach, engagement, awareness will be key roles for the agency to take up. Like the members of this committee, we look forward to having an agency.
Conservative