Next is NDP-6.
Dr. Morin.
Evidence of meeting #35 for Health in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendments.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #35 for Health in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendments.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:30 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
First I wish to say how sad it is for the victims and their families that we cannot do these studies.
I therefore move that Bill C-300, in Clause 2, be amended by adding after line 30 on page 2 the following:
(vii) conducting studies on the means to reduce stigma associated with being a consumer of mental health, substance abuse, suicide prevention, intervention and bereavement services.
Yes, suicide is a taboo subject in society, especially for people who wish to admit to a member of their family or to the population in general that they have already had some dark ideas or have tried to commit suicide. Stigmatization in this regard is very important. I believe, as do many of our witnesses, that conducting studies to reduce such stigmatization would be healthier for people who have already thought about suicide or are going to think about it in the future. The problem with suicide is that people retreat into themselves. They feel alone and cannot ask for help for many reasons, including stigmatization. This is why I think, like many other witnesses, that it would be good to do some studies.
Studies do not require a royal recommendation. But I wonder whether the Conservatives are going to oppose this amendment too and, through their lack of action and proactivity within the committee, leave all those people in bereavement.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
It goes without saying that throughout this entire study we heard from many witnesses, as Ms. Davies pointed out, who are experts in this field. They are doing this kind of research and conducting these kinds of studies.
We heard from the Mental Health Commission that they had just released a study regarding the stigma associated when one is accessing mental health services or suffering from depression.
These studies are ongoing. So it seems to me that we are calling upon the federal government to do something that experts are already doing, which is why I would not support this amendment.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
I'd like to add to that, Madam Chair.
If my colleague would read the bill again, it says:
The Government of Canada must establish a federal framework for suicide prevention that...(b) designates the appropriate entity within the Government of Canada to assume responsibility for...(vi) promoting the use of research and evidence-based practices for the prevention of suicide.
That would take this into account already. If you look at what he wrote in (vii), it talks about intervention and bereavement services, but communities already do that. They may be trying to improve the bill, but it's redundant and doesn't have to be there.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC
I would like to move a subamendment. To avoid the words "conducting studies," I move that we replace them with "promoting studies by health experts that have already been done."
I will send you the written version.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
We can continue on NDP-6
Are you ready for the vote on the subamendment?
Dr. Morin.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Madam Chair, I simply wanted to thank my colleague, Ms. Quach, for her subamendment, which is designed to correct a flaw pointed out by my colleague Kelly Block. I agree that studies have already been done. Why not use them then? So I am going to vote in favour of Ms. Quach's subamendment.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Yes, a recorded vote.
(Subamendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
We'll go to the amendment.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Yes, a recorded vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
We'll now go to NDP-7.
9:40 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
My amendment looks a little like that of the Liberals, LIB-4.
I therefore move that Bill C-300, in Clause 2, be amended by adding after line 30 on page 2 the following:
(vii) establishing national guidelines for best practices in suicide prevention based on evidence in key areas of mental health care.
I do not think that anyone is opposed to having the best possible practices and the best national guidelines respecting best practices. So I would like to hear my Conservative colleagues' reason for not voting in favour of that.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC
I'd be happy to oblige. I believe that the spirit behind this amendment is covered in subparagraphs (v) and (vi). Therefore this is redundant.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
I'd like to add the same argument that I have in the past. As for establishing national guidelines, again that's a provincial jurisdiction and could be construed as interfering with provincial jurisdiction. And then establishing national guidelines, I do think there would be a cost in that.
9:40 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
My colleague, Mr. Strahl has referred to certain clauses. Can he tell me what they are? I have not learned the bill by heart.
You mentioned some articles, Mr. Strahl, which ones were they?
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC
I certainly can.
I think we all have a copy of the bill in front of us. It's subparagraph 2(b)(v), and it says “defining best practices”, which is part of the amendment there for the prevention of suicide, and subparagraph 2(b)(vi), “promoting the use of research and evidence-based practices for the prevention of suicide”. I think this amendment certainly would fit within those broader clauses there.
