Evidence of meeting #23 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was drugs.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Lui Temelkovski
The extension of the meeting is at the will of the committee, but we still have a number of speakers.
NDP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
Okay.
I want to support the motion. I had also a motion on the books that I do not need to proceed with; it was only there as a way to advance the work of this committee on the two sessions we held with respect to organ donations.
I hear what the parliamentary secretary is saying. While this whole issue may not be about deliberate discrimination, by implication it sends the wrong message for the wrong reasons. We know that annex E of the document is in fact exclusionary, and it is in regulations.
The U.S. model would be a far more appropriate model to follow if Mr. Fletcher is concerned about that being the example. These are guidelines; they are not exclusionary and they are not in the regulations.
I think the motion makes sense in terms of sending appropriate messages to our community and to Canadians everywhere that we want to see people sign their donor cards without restriction, knowing that there is a good process in place. We don't in any way have to practise anything that would appear to be discriminatory by any stretch of the imagination and send the wrong message to the gay community.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Mr. Chairman, the time ends soon. I can start to speak, but I can tell you that I have another meeting to go to, and I can't consent to going past one o'clock, so I don't know.... It's up to you, Mr. Chairman. I can speak--
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Well, no, Mr. Chairman, I'm not agreeing to that. I have the floor; I'll speak--for 30 seconds, if I have to. That's what we've got.
I'm just telling you that this is a very serious motion. The Liberals are talking as if this were something brand-new. They started this whole process. Do you think this thing started overnight? These are very serious matters, and I spent a lot of time at the last--
Liberal
Robert Thibault Liberal West Nova, NS
I recognize that this is not going to come to a vote today. Last time, because some members wanted to give it further personal study, I agreed that it could be delayed until today. Today you won't have an opportunity to put it to a vote, but I would request that it be the first item on the agenda at the next regular meeting of the committee.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
No. I'm in the middle of speaking, Mr. Chair, and I have a lot to say on this.
Liberal
Robert Thibault Liberal West Nova, NS
The time has gone, so I suggest that it be the first item at the next meeting, because it has to be disposed of. It is a matter for the committee. The government side is not agreeing that we vote on it today, so it will still be the committee's business when the committee meets next time.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Lui Temelkovski
Monsieur Thibault, on Thursday we have the ten-year plan review meeting, and I think if the committee is willing to use the beginning of that meeting.... Or should it be another meeting, a subsequent meeting?
Liberal
Robert Thibault Liberal West Nova, NS
This is the point I'm raising, or the question of privilege, or whatever. I'm on a point of order.
My item is on the floor.
Liberal
Robert Thibault Liberal West Nova, NS
Are you ready to vote? Okay.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]