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.
9:40 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
I wish to say that I do not approve of the argument according to which the amendment is covered by these clauses, although this is subject to debate. I believe actually that the amendment aims to strengthen the bill.
Still, if the Conservatives prefer to have a weak bill, then that is up to them.
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-8.
Dr. Morin.
9:40 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Madam Chair, I move that Bill C-300, in Clause 2, be amended by adding after line 30 on page 2 the following:
(vii) assessing access to appropriate and adequate health, wellness and recovery services, including mental health and substance abuse services, for all Canadians, as well as for families and communities.
One of the reasons for this amendment, in addition to the fact that the witnesses we consulted recommended that this be included, is that when we talk about suicide there are vulnerable populations. I will not necessarily name them.
I know that Mr. Albrecht did not want to name them in his bill, but it is very important that the committee consider access to services for vulnerable populations. Since, in the end, even with the best bill in the world, if we do not identify whether these vulnerable populations have access to services, it will be a shortcoming in our suicide prevention strategy. The amendment is designed to make up for this shortcoming.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
Thank you very much.
Again, Madame Chair, it's provincial jurisdiction.
9:45 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
My amendment is aimed at that.
I therefore move that Bill C-300, in Clause 2, be amended by adding after line 30 on page 2 the following:
(vii) assessing and adopting, where appropriate, the recommendations and objectives outlined in the Blueprint for a National Suicide Prevention Strategy of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
I hope that the Conservatives do not see in this amendment an intrusion into an area of provincial jurisdiction because, seriously, I do not see any such thing in this amendment.
The reason why this is being proposed is that we have to trust the experts when it comes to suicide prevention. The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention is the right body with which we should work on suicide prevention and not regard ourselves as experts on the subject, when we are simply members of Parliament, in spite of all our goodwill. We have to work with the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention and have respect for the many years they have dedicated to suicide prevention.
I hope that our Conservative members for once will agree to improve this bill.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
Again, Madame Chair, if my colleague would look at the bill, in clause 2 it reads:
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...(iv) promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange across domains, sectors, regions and jurisdictions....
I think that would cover the spirit of this without making any further comments.
9:45 a.m.
NDP
9:45 a.m.
NDP
Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
I therefore move that Bill C-300, in Clause 2, be amended by adding after line 30 on page 2 the following:
(vii) studying the funding arrangements to provide the treatment, education, professional training and other supports required to prevent suicide and assist those bereaved by a suicide.
We are talking about vulnerable populations. We are talking about a Canada-wide approach, assistance, while respecting and protecting provincial jurisdictions. I am not going to talk for much longer.
My colleague, Ms. Block, mentioned that studies on another subject had been done. I would like to ask her whether any studies have been done on this topic.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
Again, Madam Chair, it talks about studying the funding arrangements to provide treatment, education, professional training—provincial jurisdiction.
9:50 a.m.
NDP
