Health Committee on Nov. 1st, 2016

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Which are the two? Can you go over the dates again, John?

[John Oliver, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

I was proposing that we use November 17 and November 24, which are Thursdays, to hear witnesses. Some have already requested time to discuss the bill with us. We haven't done enough of these, so I don't know how much time is required after witnesses before clause-by-clause consideration. We could do the clause-by-clause consideration on either November 29 or December 1.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

Mr. Webber.

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Mr. Chair, I'd just like to remind the committee that a few months ago we did pass a motion on doing a study on the MSM blood donation, and it was to be done in the fall. If we look at your dates, Mr. Oliver, that's going to put us into some pretty tight timelines with respect to that study on MSM blood donation. I think it's an important issue that we need to look at as well, with at least a meeting and possibly two. I have some witnesses I'd like to propose on that. I know it's on the agenda for later, so I won't dwell on that, but with regard to your motion and your dates, I just want to remind the committee that we do have this commitment regarding the MSM blood donation as well.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

As a committee, we have an obligation to either deal with the bill or return it unamended. I think it's important. I think Alzheimer's and dementia and all things related are really important. The bill's very simple. It's proposed by an opposition member and seconded by a government member, so there should be quite a bit of consensus, but I do think we should study it.

Mr. Davies.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

I agree completely. I like the dates. We will have to have a bit of time to submit possible witnesses. I don't think there should be a lot of witnesses, but there should certainly be the national Alzheimer Society and some seniors groups. I can see us needing to hear from four to six witnesses, so I think two meetings would be fine. I think the dates you proposed for the two meetings for witnesses and two meetings for clause-by-clause consideration will be fine. We should do that. It's our job as a committee to review the legislation.

I also think that Mr. Webber's quite right. I was just looking at the motion. We did pass a motion to do a study this fall of the current restrictions. Fall ends December 20 or something, so I would suggest that maybe we can turn to that next, and we would have some time after December 1 to schedule a meeting or two, between December 1 and December 20, for Mr. Webber's motion on the ban on blood donation by men who have sex with men, so that we can respect the motion that's been passed already as well.

This also is important. We then have to fold in all those other meetings on pharmacare with these two things.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

Dr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

I am going to agree with my colleagues. There are many things on the table that are extremely important, but perhaps the analyst can get back to us with potential witnesses for Bill C-233 because we might be able to get the whole thing done in two meetings. I think we are all in agreement on moving forward on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

All right, Mr. Oliver.

[John Oliver, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Mr. Chair, I move:

That the Committee dedicate the meetings of Thursday, November 17, Thursday, November 24, Tuesday, November 29 and December 1, 2016, to study Bill C-233, An Act respecting a national strategy for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

That's excellent.

We'll talk about MSM right now. We were talking about the 22nd as a possible date for the meeting. That's one or two days beyond fall, but does that work for you?

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Mr. Chair, I do have a list of names of organizations and individuals I'd like to see come to present to us. I don't know if you want me to read out these names or not.

It may take more than just one meeting. It may require a second meeting. It's hard to determine how long it's going to take to do this but with the names I have. There's Canadian Blood Services, for example. We could bring in Dr. Graham Sher. There is Rick Prinzen, who is the chief supply chain officer.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Chair, on a point of order. This is a good time for us to go in camera.

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Oh, yes. That's right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

Thank you. We'll go back in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]