Great. Thank you.
I would like to talk to you about another backlog. Let me read the warning posted on the Health Canada website. This is what it says:
Health Canada is currently experiencing a temporary delay in processing applications for an authorization to possess and/or a licence to produce marihuana for medical purposes, due to a sharp rise in the number of applications received in recent months. To address the situation, Health Canada has implemented a strategy that is improving the efficiency of its review and authorization process and will restore standard processing times of 8 to 10 weeks. As part of our strategy, our officials have reviewed all operational policies and procedures and implemented several key process changes in order to improve efficiencies and speed up these processes. We anticipate that the number of applications being processed will increase as we progress with the implementation of our strategy. The Department is making efforts to restore normal processing times by the end of this year.
Now, I see no additional funds to implement or support that strategy. So I gather that you do not need additional funds.
I have two questions. Why was there a sharp rise in the number of applications in recent months?
But you must be aware that, for marihuana, if people do not have their authorization, they can be prosecuted. So, the issue of health aside, there is another problem. What is the strategy you have put in place?