Health Committee on Nov. 1st, 2023

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Thank you very much, Minister. I appreciate that.

What is the average inflation on the cost of food in September of this year?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

These are the questions you ask every day in question period. I am the health minister. I have agreed to come to talk about health. You have not only not asked a single question about health here; you haven't asked a question about health in the House of Commons.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Tell me this about—

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Can I ask you why you refuse to ask any questions as the health critic in the House of Commons?

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Excuse me, Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Minister.

Dr. Ellis, go ahead. You have the floor.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Thank you very much, Chair.

On drug approvals, how much longer does it take to get a drug approved in Canada versus the United States? How many days is it?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

In Canada, I'm deeply proud of our drug approval process, which makes sure that Canadians remain safe and that the considerations are based not only on efficacy but also on safety.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Thank you very much.

I don't think I asked you anything about safety. I asked you how many more days it takes to get a drug approved in Canada. That's well within your purview.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

It is, sir. I would say that safety goes along with speed and that we can't just think about the marketization of a drug. We also have to think about safety—

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Safety is not days. Thank you very much.

How many more days would it take to get a drug approved in Canada versus the EU?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

I am very proud of the department's work to make sure that the drugs that go to Canadians are safe.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

I have a point of order from Mr. Thériault.

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Chair, I'm not hearing any interpretation.

Things may be going a little quickly for the interpreters in the booth.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

I imagine it's impossible to interpret when several people are speaking at the same time.

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

The interpreters are doing an extraordinary job, but there is no interpretation at the moment.

I'm sorry, but I would still like to follow the conversation. I'm just missing popcorn.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

I know it's difficult, Minister, because the questions are so short, but this is actually the way we do it here.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

It doesn't represent discourse, but if that's the wish of the questioner, I'm happy to abide by that, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Are we getting translation now?

Yes? Okay.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Thank you very much, Chair.

How much longer does it take to get a drug approved in Canada versus the EU?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

I would ask.... You haven't met with me. I've tried to meet with you. You haven't asked a question in question period.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Excuse me, Chair. That's absolutely not the question. These are absolutely unacceptable answers.

What's the leading cause of death of 10- to 18-year-olds in British Columbia?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

I don't think you have any interest in my answers. I think you're here to—

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Now you're not going to answer. Is that what we're going to get—no answers?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

There—