Evidence of meeting #46 for Health in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was study.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
That's just a proposal. That's my own little tentative calendar I used to try to see where we're going. It has not been agreed to by the committee.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
So maybe we could talk about this as a committee then, rather than at the subcommittee.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
The motion to study antimicrobial resistance was moved at the first meeting the committee had back when we first met. At that meeting, I moved that motion, as well as the pharmacare motion and one to study aboriginal health and community care.
That motion has been sitting for quite a long time, so I'm very happy to see it being considered. I think it is growing in significance. I thought it was topical then, and I think the topic has only grown in importance since. I've heard media reports as recently as a few weeks ago about there being serious concern about the ineffectiveness of modern antibiotics, and that can be very scary.
So I think it is not only an important issue but also a timely one, and I really hope the committee can get at least started on that study before June.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
John Oliver Liberal Oakville, ON
I support what Mr. Davies has said. It was in our original work plan. I think a lot of work and study has been going on in aboriginal health. I'm not denying that there are big issues in that community, but I know there are a number of other groups and committees looking at it. I think the increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance and the impact of it on Canadians' health is of growing significance and concern, and I do think it's very timely that we get a report done and flag the concerns to Parliament.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
We proposed that a year ago actually. On March 7 last year we put that on the list of topics.
Mr. Webber.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
I'll also bring up the fact that at our discussion regarding the original work plan, the study of human organ and tissue donation was one of the top priorities that we agreed upon as well, and I just want to make you aware that that has to fit in somewhere, and the sooner the better. I just wanted to bring that up.
Thank you.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Thanks. I would just add one thing. The one thing about antimicrobial resistance is that it has the potential to affect everybody. This can be a serious public health issue. All of our issues are important in their own way but they can affect certain parts of the population. The one thing about this is that any Canadian who ever gets sick and needs antibiotics could potentially be affected by this, so I think it's a matter of really general interest and application.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Are you prepared to make a motion that we start the study on May 16 and we do four meetings?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I would just bring to the committee's attention that we do have the PTSD bill that was put forward by Todd Doherty. It has been approved for committee review now, and so it would be, I believe, in the best interest of Canadians, and really, the best interest of this committee, to move forward with that study and to get it done.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
All right. We have a motion on the floor to start the antimicrobial resistance study. Is there any more debate on that?
We have a motion on the floor to start the antimicrobial study and to have four meetings on it, on May 16, 18, and 30, and June 1.
Dr. Carrie.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
You showed us the two pages that you had proposed. I think we would be in agreement with the first page, and if you could maybe leave the second page until the next meeting, we could have further discussion on that. It is a little bit out there. I don't think we have to agree now, because I am worried as well about the post-traumatic stress disorder bill that's referred to here. Maybe we could get clarification from the clerk on that.
What is the timeline for that? When do we have until?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
I have a motion now on the floor. I have to deal with that motion regarding the antimicrobial resistance study.
Mr. Webber.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
Ms. Harder brought up a very good point, the fact that we have this PTSD bill coming up, so I would not support the motion on the floor right now. Perhaps if we have more clarification in the next few weeks, we would be able to then bring that motion back up again, but right now, I wouldn't support that motion.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
I have to agree with my colleague, Mr. Webber. The post-traumatic stress disorder bill does take priority over some of the other studies, and there is a concern that it might be dropped. We don't know what will be happening in the fall. I would hate to see something that was passed through the House possibly be dropped just because we weren't able to get it done. I think that would be a priority item to get through, because bills are more important than these other studies.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Do we have any idea how many meetings that would require? I agree it's an important issue, no question about it.
Mr. Davies, do you have a thought on that? You look like you do.