Evidence of meeting #58 for Health in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.)

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

Okay, we have quorum.

Dr. Carrie has a motion that we want to deal with first. He's not here yet.

11 a.m.

An hon. member

Do we need him?

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

It has to be him. We'll wait a couple more minutes.

Dr. Carrie's motion is to televise the meetings on Lyme disease. Is there agreement to do that without his moving the motion? Is there anybody opposed to that?

Dr. Eyolfson.

11 a.m.

Liberal

Doug Eyolfson Liberal Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB

I agree wholeheartedly with the meeting with Health Canada being televised. In regard to the victims, I'm not necessarily in favour of that, out of respect for their privacy. However, if they were contacted and in agreement that their testimony be televised, then I would certainly also be in favour of that.

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

All right. We'll take that approach then.

Mr. Davies.

11 a.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

I think that's a sensitive comment, but to be honest, these committee hearings are public. It's just the means of communicating, so any testimony they give, whether it's televised or not, is going to be public and recorded in some fashion. I also am not sure that it's a good practice for us to consult witnesses. The committee should decide if we want to make it public or not, or televised or not, I think.

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

Okay, but the problem is solved, as Dr. Carrie has arrived, and he has a fancy tie on.

11 a.m.

Conservative

Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON

It is fancy, yes.

Mr. Chair, I want to thank you for allowing me to move this motion, and put it on the floor for a vote. I move:

That, in relation to the Committee's study on the Lyme Disease Framework, every effort be made to have all public proceedings televised.

I know that the advocates and the people involved in this entire framework would love to be able to hear the latest and the greatest as we bring people forward to committee.

(Motion agreed to)

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

We're going to take a little break while we go in camera. It will just take 30 seconds.

11 a.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Chair, consistent with our practice at the last meeting, I have with me a wonderful young intern from my office, from Ohio State University, who wanted to sit in on this meeting. I just wanted to advise committee members of that and assure you that she understands the need for keeping these matters confidential.

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

I'm curious. She's from Ohio State. Is she visiting?

11 a.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Yes, she's doing an internship in my office. Ohio and Michigan have programs.

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

Is it all right with everybody if we have a representative from Ohio here?

11 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

11 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bill Casey

[Proceedings continue in camera]