Health Committee on Nov. 16th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

I will ask the members to please take their seats.

I'm Joy Smith, the chair of the committee. I want to welcome you back to committee. I am so pleased you were able to make it back, as the last time you were here, the bells rang, which happens from time to time.

As you know, pursuant to standing order 108(2), we are continuing our study of chronic diseases related to aging. We have Lynn Cooper from the Canadian Pain Coalition. We do remember your excellent presentation, Ms. Cooper. Thank you.

And we have, from the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health, Kimberly Wilson. Of course, Kimberly, you were also here.

We also heard from Associated Medical Services Inc., from Mr. Jeffrey Turnbull, a member of the board of directors. We so appreciated your presentation.

We're going to to go where we left off, at our last presentation, by the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec.

Excuse me, Dr. Carrie?

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Madam Chair, I was wondering if I could present a motion to the committee before we get started. It should be very brief.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Absolutely.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

The committee asked that the minister present before the committee as soon as possible. The clerk has distributed the motion. I'd like to read it out.

Salut. Oui?

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

I don't have it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

One moment while we will make sure that you get a copy, Dr. Morin.

Do you now all have a copy of the motion in front of you? Dr. Sellah?

Dr. Carrie, would you continue?

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Yes. I move:

That the committee invite the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health, to appear before the Committee on the Supplementary Estimates (B) on Monday, November 21, 2011, from 3:30 to 4:30pm.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Is there discussion?

Dr. Morin.

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

I think that one hour is short if we have a lot of questions to ask her. Would it be possible to have an extra 30 minutes to make it an hour and a half?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Dr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

I know the minister has a prior commitment; she is scheduled after that. In the past she has stayed as long as she absolutely can, and I know she's able to come at that time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Ms. Quach, you had your hand up.

[Anne Minh-Thu Quach, NDP, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Actually, what I wanted to say is along the same lines as Dany. If she can stay a bit longer, can we set aside an hour and a half, just to make sure we are giving her enough time?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

As Dr. Carrie said, she has a previous commitment and has committed to being here from 3:30 to 4:30. As you know with ministers' time...she has always come every time we've asked her.

Dr. Sellah.

[Djaouida Sellah, NDP, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I agree with the motion moved by my colleague Mr. Carrie, but I wanted to make sure that, during that hour, the questions are all going to be for the minister, not for the officials accompanying her.

We have a lot of questions for her. I would like it to be clear that the questions are for the minister only.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Just to let you know, all questions are always directed to the minister. She has her officials with her if there's something she needs to double-check. The minister has always come in, always made the presentations, and she has done a very good job.

Yes, Dr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

I do believe the officials will stay behind for the following hour, if there are any specifics for the committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Let's deal with the motion, first of all.

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

I have a short question. Considering that we have a lot of questions, could we find out how many blocks of seven or five minutes the NDP will be getting so we can prepare our questions?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

It will be the same as always.

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

So it's going to be seven minutes in the first round and then the four of us will have five minutes to ask the minister—

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

No.

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

No? That is why I wanted to have some clarification.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

That's right.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Let's deal with this motion. Are you all in agreement that minister come here on November 21 from 3:30 to 4:30?