Evidence of meeting #34 for Health in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was tylenol.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
For clarification, Mr. Chair, the French version—
1:05 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
The French version reads as follows: “Pour s'assurer que les patients et les soignants comprennent le médicament qu'ils consomment, il faudrait également travailler en partenariat avec les fournisseurs pour ajouter . . . . ” It's pretty weak. I would want to evoke a greater sense of obligation.
1:05 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
The passage that reads “il faudrait également travailler en partenariat avec les fournisseurs pour ajouter des informations” does not mean that information must imperatively be added before any import is allowed. I know the intention is good, but this wording is a bit weak and does not address my concerns.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
Okay, so we have a subamendment. The debate is on the subamendment.
Mr. Barrett has the floor.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Okay, I support the subamendment.
With regard to Mr. Davies' question, the “Guide to the exceptional importation and sale of drugs in response to drug shortages”, dated March 2022, says:
Before a designated drug can be sold in Canada, risk communications to support its safe use must be finalized and available in both English and French.
The regulation that we're appealing for the government to use says, “must be finalized and available in both English and French.” My comments prior to this committee indicated that Canadians should be able to access these drugs in the official language of their choice.
With regard to Mr. Powlowski's example with Tylenol, when I buy that exact product at the pharmacy, I take it to the pharmacist, who repackages it and labels it in the official language of my choice with a safe lid for children. They have the capacity to do it. The regulation requires that it must be available in English and French, which ensures the safety, and all of the information that they provide must be approved by Health Canada in advance before it can be dispensed in Canada.
This is a belt-and-suspenders existing regulation; this is an appeal for the government to do it. We support the subamendment, the amendment and the main motion.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
I agree with that because we also feel that this is a concern, so can we go forward?
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
We will vote once the speakers list is exhausted, and it now is.
I don't see anybody else wishing to speak, so the question is on the subamendment to remove the word “should” and replace it with the word “must”.
(Subamendment agreed to)
The debate is now on the amendment. Is there any discussion?
1:10 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
I just want to point out that special attention will have to be paid to the translation of the motion.
We discussed the motion in English. I would like the French version to express, very clearly and as directly as the English version, that the information must be provided in both official languages, and the French version cannot have weaker language, as is sometimes the case.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
There is no debate. We are ready for the question.
(Amendment as amended agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Could we have a motion to adjourn, please?
1:10 p.m.
A hon. member
I so move.
