I take that as a “no” to my question.
Evidence of meeting #64 for Health in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pmprb.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #64 for Health in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pmprb.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
On the question of exchanging information, the letter that was sent to the board is available on the Internet. We can easily access it. Google it and you'll find it immediately.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that.
You've been in your role since 2021, and yet Mr. Herder has stated that “This is the only minister of health to be appointed under the Liberal government who has not had a briefing on proposed changes to our guidelines.”
Why have you not taken a briefing?
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
Of course I have had briefings on these matters, as well as on many other matters in Health Canada. These briefings occur every day. I follow closely the work of the board.
My responsibility is to be protective of the independence of the board. I cannot interfere in the work of the board, although I follow it closely. I have to be extremely careful in my relationships with the board.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
I'm taking that to mean that you have not heard from the PMPRB and that therefore Mr. Herder is misinforming us that you have not taken a briefing from the PMPRB.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
You questions are excellent. I just need a bit more time to answer them.
If you want to know more, in detail, Mr. Bélair could, at his level, brief you on the type of work that he does with the board members and with the officials, because there are about 100 people working at the PMPRB.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
I'm not asking for the officials' meetings with the PMPRB. I'm asking for yours.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
When I meet with the board members, it has to be under the invitation of the chair. In matters that are sensitive, I need to be very careful to protect the integrity and independence of the board members. That's why I provided the answer that you heard earlier.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Minister, lobbying records show that you and your staff met with representatives from pharmaceutical companies at least a dozen times this fall. I suspect from what I'm hearing today that you had a lot more meetings than just that.
Ultimately, you've been unable to meet with the former PMPRB board chair to receive that briefing, as we just talked about. The PMPRB falls under your purview as minister, so why could you manage to meet with big pharma reps but not with the PMPRB?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
I must have met with thousands of stakeholders and partners over the last year. We've been through COVID-19. We are in a world in which health and health care are one of the biggest challenges of humanity. This is the challenge of the next generation of researchers and manufacturers, just like fighting against climate change and recognizing technological innovation, diversity and inclusion and the geopolitical situation in the world. These are big challenges.
I meet with lots of people, patient groups, researchers, experts—
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Thank you, Minister. Again, you haven't met with PMPRB.
I see that I'm running out of time here.
One of my colleagues questioned you to give just one example of one medication that might be out there. I'm going to give you one chance again to give us that one example.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
In the last year—and it will be even better in the next few years—we have invested immensely in biomanufacturing.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
I will invite you to visit me in hospitals and clinical settings and research environments in which—
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
My four-year-old granddaughter can count to 10. Can you give me one?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC
Things are moving forward at a pace for which we should all be grateful.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative