Health Committee on Dec. 17th, 2024

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Thank you.

My office is responsible for continuing to respond to the needs of Canadians when it comes to mental health services. The commitments that we made in budget 2024, including the youth mental health fund and the emergency treatment fund, are the priorities in this budget cycle that we are placing emphasis on. It doesn't mean that we've abandoned other parts of the service system. However—

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Minister—

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Chair, I'm answering the question, if the member would allow me to finish.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

I believe she's over time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

We're going to go back to Mr. Doherty.

Go ahead, Mr. Doherty.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Minister, your government promised a $4.5-billion annual Canadian mental health transfer during the 2021 election. Was that promise abandoned?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

The funding flow from that commitment continued until its completion. Working with jurisdictions and understanding their needs in mental health meant that we had a renewed strategy through the bilateral agreements, through a mental health priority.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Minister, you've referenced a couple of times, as a mother, meeting people where they are. This is a final question. This is probably the last time I will get a chance to ask you any questions in 2024, perhaps maybe even, who knows, in the current government. Only time will tell. This has bothered me for some time, and I want to give you an opportunity here.

Do you regret shaking hands with Mahmoud Abbas?

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

That's fair game.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

That's inappropriate as a question, and it does not match with what we're studying today.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

I agree, unless you can find a way to tie that to the estimates.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Go ahead, Mr. Johns.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

That's where I was going to go. This has absolutely nothing to do with the estimates. It's just completely out of line.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I have a point of order on this point.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Ms. Goodridge, go ahead on a point of order.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I believe the minister was actually there on official government business. Therefore, it is relevant to the spending of the government. I believe that, if you let Mr. Doherty continue, you will understand how this is relevant.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

We can let Mr. Doherty continue if he wants to ask a question that is tied to the estimates. So far, I don't think it is.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Chair, if you would allow, the minister has referenced, time and again, being a mother and has made comments about Conservatives not being, if you would allow, on the trip when the Liberals know that I was the member who was supposed to be on that trip, but I was at my mother's deathbed and was supporting her through her end of life.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

No, you can't point of order a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

He's apparently asking a question.

Ms. Kayabaga has a point of order. I recognize Ms. Kayabaga.