Health Committee on May 7th, 2007

[A voice]

[Inaudible--Editor]

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

There is no decision anywhere. I'm sorry, I thought we had three out of four. They've all heard it, so they're all going to decide together.

But I am advised that there is one court where they are tweaking a couple of issues. Once that occurs, we have done a lot of the preparatory work in terms of the administration of the fund, so that we will be in a position to respond rapidly once the settlement has been approved.

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

I know the feedback that I've received from my constituents has been very positive. It is really quite remarkable, the effort that you and the Prime Minister have made to ensure those people are compensated. And hopefully it will get through the courts as soon as possible.

I have another question with regard to the AIDS announcement that was made with Bill Gates. That was quite an impressive announcement. Again, it has a Winnipeg connection, which Manitobans are all very proud of, with the virology lab and Dr. Frank Plummer.

I wonder if you could share with us a little bit more about the government investment and what we anticipate coming out of that announcement and the synergies made with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Is that the first time that has happened with the Gates foundation and the Canadian government?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Absolutely, with the Canadian government it's the first. As Bill Gates mentioned at the time, I believe it was really the first time the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has engaged to such a degree with another country. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now seeking to use Canada as an example of what other countries should be doing in this and other areas. So once again Canada has become a leader of collaboration and effective approaches to HIV/AIDS. We're all very proud of the fact that we're working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We're proud of the fact that by virtue of this initiative, this $111 million contribution to the initiative, we believe Canada will be at the forefront in the creation of the first HIV/AIDS vaccine. That's the purpose of this research.

You should know that Canadian researchers are at the absolute forefront in this field. We are recognized and respected around the world for our research in this area. I have every confidence in their ability to move mountains to deliver something that will be available for all the world. This is something that Canada is contributing to health and welfare around the world.

I don't know, David, if you wanted to add anything to that.

[Dr. David Butler-Jones]

No, thank you, Minister.

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

I'm out of time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Thank you very much. You're time is gone now.

We'll go down to Ms. Penny Priddy. You have another five minutes

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to follow up on Mr. Fletcher's comments. I thank him for raising the hepatitis C settlement outside the window.

I'm wondering if there is a way you are keeping the victims or people suffering from hepatitis C informed of where it is. I suppose their lawyers already know. I've had several calls from people who've been told by their MPs they would be receiving cheques by April 25. So now they're puzzled. I'm wondering if there's a way to get that information out on a broad basis, or even up on the website, so people know exactly where the process is. Some people who are part of the class action may know if they keep in close touch with their lawyers, but others may very well not know.

I wonder if you can tell me if the settlement is subject to federal income tax.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

In terms of your suggestion, I'd certainly take that under advisement.

With respect to what information we can provide, we should provide as much as we can. As you know, this is a legal process, so I have to hedge a little bit.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Even just the timeline. You can say things like four courts have reviewed it, we're waiting for decisions.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Sure. We'll do as much as we can, Ms. Priddy.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

And the federal income tax.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

It's not subject to federal income tax.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

It's not subject to federal income tax. Thank you.

My second point would be this. You've mentioned innovation a number of times in the conference you held. We passed a motion at this committee on having you establish a website of innovation. I gather the projects were science-based, evidence-based. I haven't looked at the ones on the site, but is there a plan to move ahead with that so that this kind of website can be available for those people who may not have been there but have projects you would certainly look at in a scientific way?

I just came back from a two-day conference in Regina where people talked about very innovative evidence-based projects, and everybody said, why don't we have a way to share this? That was the intent of my motion that passed through the committee.

Can I ask if you intend to move on that?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Sure.

Did you want to add anything to that? It sounds like a great idea to me.

[Morris Rosenberg]

I'd say we already have a fair bit of information on our website coming out of the conference. The minister was saying that some of the presentations that were made are available.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

My motion on that was much earlier.

[Morris Rosenberg]

I understand.

I think the idea is an interesting one. We're certainly willing to look at it. In the spirit of finding one place to put all this together so that people could have an easier time sharing best practices and new ideas, that would be a really interesting thing to do.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Okay. So when you say you're going to look at it, who's going to look at it?

[Morris Rosenberg]

Health Canada will look at it.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Who?

[Morris Rosenberg]

The health policy branch.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Where do I go in three weeks to find out what you've looked at?

[Morris Rosenberg]

We will get back to you within three weeks to tell you what we're doing on it.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Thank you.

I'll surrender.