Health Committee on Feb. 5th, 2026

[The Hon. Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Marjorie Michel]

The renewal of funding for the 988 helpline is very good news. It will allow us to continue supporting Canadians in distress. As you know, the 988 helpline has fielded over 700,000 calls since its creation, which is really huge. The good news is that people, especially young people, are asking for help. The federal government is there to ensure that this helpline continues to operate and will always be there to support Canadians when they need it.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

My next question, Minister, is on budget 2025's focus on modernizing Canada's health system and strengthening patient safety. You've said that data saves lives.

How does Bill S-5, the connected care for Canadians act, complement budget 2025 by improving secure information sharing, supporting better care coordination and helping to build a health system that is ready for the future?

[The Hon. Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Marjorie Michel]

Bill S‑5 will mainly help us stop working in isolation and will allow information to reach the right people, so we can provide Canadians with the health care services they deserve.

As I explained just before my colleague asked her question, this bill aims to free up data, while protecting personal information, so the data are available to the health care system and individuals, for the benefit of their health.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Canadians need family physicians. How is the federal government working with the provinces to help Canadian physicians trained abroad or in the U.S. return to practise and train in Canada? How will this improve access to care for patients and help Canadians?

[The Hon. Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Marjorie Michel]

There are several ways.

Firstly, there are Canadians who’ve studied abroad and need to have their credentials recognized. We’re working on that with the provinces, and the program is working very well. More and more, some provinces are participating in the program to help foreign graduates become accredited.

Secondly, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration has created a program with 5,000 spots for health care professionals from outside the country. There are many Canadians who were abroad and are returning to the country through this expedited processing program.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

My next question is about personal support workers, who play a critical role in long-term care and community care. How does the tax credit fit into the government's broader health workforce strategy?

[The Hon. Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Marjorie Michel]

I think it was a good approach because the tax credit provides direct assistance to those who support the most vulnerable people in our society. It’s money that goes directly into their pockets, rather than institutions. It’s good news for them because, when they file their tax return, they'll see that $1,000 the government gave them.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Madam Chair, do I have any more time?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You have 30 seconds.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Minister, if you want to say anything, my last question is about whether safe consumption sites are saving the lives of Canadians.

[The Hon. Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Marjorie Michel]

That’s why they were created, to save lives. They are saving the lives of people who could die on the street.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We started at 3:32, so there's an extra two minutes on the clock before the minister leaves. If the minister wants to elaborate on that answer, she can.

I don't know.... Do you want to ask a question for two minutes?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

No. You are not in the lineup, sir. We're going according to the lineup—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

—and the lineup is that the minister leaves at 4:32, and then we go back to the list I have in front of me that you all submitted.

Thank you.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

On a point of order, would the minister be willing to stay so that we can ask a complete round of questions?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

That means the minister would have to stay for—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I'm asking the minister.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I want to tell her what you're asking her to do.

[Doug Eyolfson, Liberal, Winnipeg West, MB]

That's not a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

She'd have to stay an extra 25 minutes. That's what you're asking her to do.

Now, there was a point of order. Somebody raised a point of order. Who was it?

[Doug Eyolfson, Liberal, Winnipeg West, MB]

I simply said this was not a point of order. The minister is here for a scheduled time, and her time is up.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

It's not a point of order. Exactly. You're asking the minister for a favour.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Yes. That's exactly what I was asking.