Thank you, Mr. Chair. If the committee will just indulge me for a minute, I would like to read a motion into the record today. Thank you very much.
I submitted the motion on Wednesday, March 14, so it is in order. I move:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of Health Canada's recent decision to make Cystagon unavailable and of the impact of this policy change on the approximately 75 children and young adults in Canada suffering from the life-threatening effects of cystinosis; that the Minister of Health, government officials, and Canadians affected by cystinosis be invited to appear no later than Wednesday, March 28, 2018; that the Committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.
Committee members will all have access to the motion if they want to deal with it at this time. What I would like to say, Mr. Chair, if I can have another moment, is that a resident in the riding I represent is here today. Erin Little, from just outside of Port Elgin, Ontario, is in Ottawa this week for a conference dealing with rare disorders and rare illnesses. She was able to get her flight changed today to be able to sit at the committee and to hear this motion read into the record. I appreciate the committee's leniency to allow me to do that. I know it means a lot to her family and those who are supporting her.
Hopefully the committee will consider this motion, because in my experience there are a few things that are urgent in some ways, or in some cases even life-threatening, and certainly this motion would be considered both because of the urgency behind the medications that are available.
I would also like to say that I know the minister's staff is here today and had an opportunity to speak with Ms. Little briefly, and I appreciate that as well. It was very nice of them to do that. Hopefully that will continue on with the dialogue. If the committee would like to deal with this motion now, that would be great. I have no intentions of delaying the work of the committee here today; I just appreciate the opportunity to read the motion.
Thank you.