Evidence of meeting #65 for Health in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was board.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
I didn't think it had anything to do with the PMPRB, so it's fair to say that all those meetings with industry groups were to benefit Canadians in their access to non-patented drugs. Is that correct?
12:10 p.m.
Executive Director, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board
I wasn't privy to those meetings, so I have no idea what the subject matter was.
May 2nd, 2023 / 12:10 p.m.
Executive Director, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board
It overlapped with our consultations.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
Moving on to the definition of the word “suspend”, as it's been brought up once or twice, in English the letter said, “respectfully consider temporarily delaying”. Do you think that suspending—implying temporarily delaying or requesting further consultation or consideration—is undue interference or is making a very direct recommendation?
12:10 p.m.
Executive Director, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board
I've never seen an English copy of that letter. The only copy I have says:
“Sur la base de ces considérations, je demande respectueusement au Conseil d'envisager de suspendre le processus de consultation.”
I take you at your word that this is the English translation.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
Your French is better than mine, and I heard the translation as well. The words are “consider temporarily suspending”.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
I think it's fair to suggest that the interpretation of that, whether it's in French or English, has been broadly interpreted.
I'd like to correct the record on one thing before I move on. No attempt from the PMPRB to brief me, as parliamentary secretary, has ever come through my office or through any of my staff.
Moving on now, last week we had a meeting with Mélanie Bourassa Forcier. She received only about 30 minutes for an opportunity to provide testimony to this committee. Out of fairness, now that we are upwards of an hour for these two witnesses, I move to adjourn this meeting.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sean Casey
He put forward a motion to adjourn this meeting.
The vote is on “Shall the meeting now be adjourned?”
(Motion agreed to)
The meeting is adjourned.
