Health Committee on Nov. 17th, 2016

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Thank you.

One of the things I heard—I think it was from you, Mimi—was around the size of the community and the accessibility of services. I represent a large riding in B.C., North Island–Powell River, where there are a lot of really remote communities. One of the challenges I've heard from my constituents repeatedly is this feeling that they're being forced into larger urban centres. They don't have the services that they require there, but they do have that village, that community that supports and cares, brings in food. I'm just curious, in relation to this strategy, where you see us looking at how we service people regardless of the size of their community.

[Mimi Lowi-Young]

I think part of the way to deal with this is setting some standards and targets. No matter where you live in the country, you should be able to access certain services, and there should be some accessibility standards being set. Some of the basic home care services should be available wherever you are.

With respect to specialty services and whatever, there are means to access where people don't have to go to the centres. We talk about the use of technology and telemedicine and so on that can really keep people in their own communities to get the necessary care and support. It's happening for a number of things, so why not for this? This includes education and even direct service delivery.

We talk about remote and rural areas, but we also need to talk about first nations, which we haven't talked about here. That is also an important part of the population that needs to be served, and served in a way that's culturally sensitive.

To your point, yes, people can access services, and we've found ways of dealing with other diseases where we've been able to provide either specialty training or training of some kind, and we can do it remotely, but there should be some set standards across the country around care that everybody can expect, no matter where they live.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Len Webber]

Thank you for that.

We have a little bit of a surprise here: the bells have started in the House.

We need unanimous consent to continue this meeting or else we have to adjourn.

Mr. Oliver.

[John Oliver, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

With all respect to the witnesses—I wish we had more time to hear from them—I do believe it's important that we be present in the House for the vote if the bells are ringing. I move that we adjourn.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Len Webber]

All right. Let's second that motion, anyone...? I think we have Mr. Ayoub.

We will have to adjourn this meeting because of proceedings in the House. We do apologize, but we sincerely appreciate your testimony here today. I had a whole list of questions that I will probably jump at a few of you before I leave. Thank you sincerely.

Mr. Ayoub?

[Ramez Ayoub, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Maybe we can ask if they are available some other time, if perhaps we have the time to have them back.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Len Webber]

Absolutely.

Ms. Harder.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Through the chair, could we ask the witnesses to submit any further thoughts that they would like us to consider in terms of this bill going forward?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Len Webber]

Sure. That's a good suggestion. Thank you, Ms. Harder.

We would welcome your input through hard copy.

Ms. Young, you have something to say just quickly?

[Mimi Lowi-Young]

I would be very happy to submit in writing to the committee our presentation that we made verbally.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Len Webber]

Thank you sincerely.

Thank you to you all, and the meeting is adjourned.