Thank you very much, Minister, for appearing before us today. I know you have been extremely diligent and have shown great leadership in advancing this file.
All Canadians feel vulnerable going to their doctor or to their hospital when they're ill or their children are ill. We rely on the expertise of medical professionals to prescribe the best possible medicine for ourselves and for our family members.
What is tragic is to eventually find out that information that would have, perhaps, provided for a better outcome could have been available and made available to families and individuals.
I genuinely want to commend the minister for coming forward and for showing great openness in advancing this legislation, in coming to our committee and saying that she's extremely open to listening to amendments that would make for more transparent legislation. We share your desire to become global leaders when it comes to patient safety.
Minister, currently hospitals and health care institutions are not required to report serious adverse reactions. I know that doctors are certainly very busy when they're in the hospital, and so on. Could you explain to us what this legislation would bring about, how we would strengthen patient safety in requiring hospitals and health care institutions to report on adverse drug effects?