Evidence of meeting #23 for Health in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was medal.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I think Mr. Girouard spoke to this. I think it's going to be an order in council that's going to look at setting regulations that will set the bar for how many blood donations will fit the criteria.
Is that it?
Senior Privy Council Officer, Machinery of Government, Privy Council Office
That's correct. Eligibility criteria will be determined or established by regulation. There will be one or more orders in council after the passage of the act, and that's how the thresholds would be established.
I can't speak to what those thresholds might be, because it would presuppose the decision of the Governor in Council, but I think that if you look at recognition programs now, it would be on the higher end of those.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Does that answer your question, Monsieur Garon?
I see no other hands up. We have no more discussion. I shall ask for the vote on the amendment.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Yes. You don't want to vote. You just want to pass on division.
(Amendment agreed to on division)
Shall clause 2 as amended carry?
(Clause 2 as amended agreed to)
(Clauses 3 to 5 agreed to)
(On clause 6)
The next amendment is on clause 6. You all have G-2 in your list. G-2 has been replaced by an amended G-2. I hope you have it. That's what we're discussing. All right?
Ms. Chi, go ahead.
Liberal
Maggie Chi Liberal Don Valley North, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to move a new amendment. The amendment replaces G-2 in your package and has been shared with the clerk and all the members of the committee in both languages.
I move that Bill C-234 in clause 6 be amended by replacing lines 14 to 18 on page 2 with the following:
6(1) The Governor General may award the Medal to a person who has donated one of their organs without profiting from the donation and is eligible for the Medal under the regulations.
The amendment would also delete from line 21 on page 2 to line 2 on page 3.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
I just want to make sure I understand what the amendment says. Would the amendment make it possible, theoretically, for the Governor General to award the medal to a non-Canadian who donated an organ to another non-Canadian?
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Madam Chair, I'd be happy to repeat it.
According to the new language in G‑2, the Governor General would be able to award the medal to anyone who makes an organ donation without profiting from the donation and who meets the eligibility criteria. The reference to a Canadian citizen and permanent resident is not there.
I understand that there will be criteria, but theoretically, does this language make it possible to recognize a non-Canadian who does not live in Canada and who makes a donation to a non-Canadian who does not live in Canada?
Senior Privy Council Officer, Machinery of Government, Privy Council Office
Yes, Madam Chair.
Since the regulations will be structured around those who validate a potential recipient's eligibility—meaning, provincial and territorial health partners—a non-Canadian could, in theory, receive the medal. However, the donation would have to have been made within the Canadian health system.
Therefore, a donation that did not take place in Canada and that did not involve a Canadian would not be eligible, since the Canadian organizations responsible for validating recipient eligibility would not be able to conduct the necessary checks.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Good.
Is there any further discussion on this amendment? No. I will call the question then.
(Amendment agreed to on division)
(Clause 6 as amended agreed to)
(On clause 7)
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Does everyone want her to read it for the record? You have it. Are you good with it?
Did you wish to speak to it?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
All right. Are there any questions or debate? Seeing no debate, shall the amendment carry?
(Amendment agreed to)
(Clause 7 as amended agreed to)
We have amendment G-4, which proposes new clause 7.1.
Ms. Chi.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
All right. Everyone has G-4 in front of them. Is there any debate on G-4? No. Shall G-4 carry?
(Amendment agreed to)
(On clause 8)
Now we'll move to G-5 and clause 8.
Ms. Chi.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
On division.
(Amendment agreed to on division)
(Clause 8 as amended agreed to)