Evidence of meeting #20 for Health in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was seconds.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
You have the power to do something about it, as the minister.
Okay, that's funny, but not really, because there are children near drugs.
Liberal
The Hon. Marjorie Michel Liberal Marjorie Michel
No. Listen, supervised consumption sites are one of the ways we have to manage the drug crisis, whether we agree on that or not. Now—
Conservative
Liberal
The Hon. Marjorie Michel Liberal Marjorie Michel
You should know that, for those sites to be open, a whole series of consultations had to be conducted with the communities. Now, if there are any problems—
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Thank you.
You think that maybe at times it is safe for children to be around drugs.
Liberal
The Hon. Marjorie Michel Liberal Marjorie Michel
Maybe at the time the centre opened, no one saw a problem with it. However, now people may see issues with it.
When Health Canada approved the opening of these sites, at the request of the province, after consultations had been conducted, there were no issues with it.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Kelowna has just been approved...near a day care. I'm asking about safety.
You mentioned, Minister, that you visited a Vancouver drug consumption site for four hours.
My question for you is, did you have a police escort?
Conservative
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Why would you have to be with the police if it's safe?
Do we want children near drug consumption sites if you need to be with the police as an adult? Why did you need a police escort?
Liberal
The Hon. Marjorie Michel Liberal Marjorie Michel
No. The police were not accompanying me because I needed to be escorted. The police were there because they were doing their job. They’re the ones who intervene. The fentanyl czar was there too.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Why did the police need to be there if it's a safe place to be?
Are you saying there are police at all drug consumption sites?
Liberal
The Hon. Marjorie Michel Liberal Marjorie Michel
We need to remember that, in the Downtown Eastside, there are people everywhere on the streets as well. We’re not just talking about supervised consumption sites.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
There are drug addicts on the street around the drug consumption site. That's why police needed to be there, and that's why you needed an escort.
Okay. Thank you.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
I have another quick question. It's about crack pipes. My colleague Mr. Mazier asked your official, Ms. Weber, on December 9, if Health Canada funds are used to purchase crack pipes. She told us that, yes, the organizations are funded to purchase pipes, but when he asked you in the House on December 11, you said that the government does not fund crack pipes.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Who is telling the truth here, Minister? Is the government funding crack pipes? We have two different answers. It's very important, because crack pipes are littering the streets of my community and others, around drug consumption sites in particular, and elsewhere.
I've asked the minister for the answer too, because Ms. Weber and you have answered differently. I just want to know. As a minister, what's your answer?
Deputy Minister, Department of Health
We provided a written answer to this committee, which reflects the funding agreements we have—
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Even though there are two different answers, and we had one from the minister—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I'm going to cut you off because you're now 10 seconds over.
I cannot continue to have people go over time. I'm trying to run a meeting to end at a certain time.
Guys, you have to work with me here. I'm giving you a warning. You seem to think that as long as you want answers to questions and to ask questions, you can continue.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I know. You're now 32 seconds over, but I'm not counting my intervention.
You were 10 seconds over, but the minister still hadn't answered. Remember that when you're going to ask a question. Don't spend a lot of time using up the time so that the person cannot answer it. That's all I'm trying to get people to understand. I'm just really having to keep the time here, guys. I'm sorry.
I have Ms. Sidhu, for the Liberals, for five minutes, please.
Liberal
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Minister and officials, for joining us.
My question is for the minister and is about the 988 suicide crisis helpline.
Minister, how does sustained funding for 988 strengthen Canada's mental health system and ensure support remains accessible to Canadians in moments when they really need help?