Thank you.
Madam Chair, I'd like to ask three questions in quick succession. The first is for Mr. Tremblay, the second for Mr. McCutcheon and the third for our friends from the Canadian AIDS Society.
Mr. Tremblay, you have refrained from commenting on the subject-matter of today's meeting. You made an appeal for donors. Please know that your appeal has been heard by members of this committee. Nevertheless, do you believe that Annex E, as currently worded, is discriminatory? To your knowledge, given the new technologies available today, in particular third generation tests known as PCR tests, would accepting donated organs from homosexuals be deemed quite safe?
Mr. McCutcheon, my views are indeed very similar to yours. I do feel that this is clearly discriminatory and merely serves to stigmatize a group. I am familiar with the work that you and your organization have done to end prejudice. I will ask our researchers to confirm my recollection that in 1996 and 1997, Ms. Picard, a member of the Standing Committee on Health at the time, proposed the creation of a national registry. You know that we have some reservations about using the word “national”, but putting that aside, we understand what you are proposing.
Could you confirm by nodding your head that a report was in fact issued, that we are talking about a voluntary, deliberate initiative and that a multitude of checks would be done? Or, should we in fact amend Annex E so that at least risky sexual behaviour is addressed? I value your opinion on this matter.
Finally, I would like my friends from the Canadian AIDS Society to speak to us about how Spain and Portugal have dealt with this issue. Perhaps we could even get some background notes on this from our researchers. It would help us get an idea of how this issue has been handled and perhaps draw some inspiration from this account.
You have the floor, Mr. Tremblay.