Evidence of meeting #29 for Health in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was infoway.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Doug Eyolfson Liberal Winnipeg West, MB
More solutions....
Okay. I think any question I have at this point will take too long to answer. That's my time.
Thank you, Chair.
Liberal
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to thank the department officials for joining us today.
Can you tell me who at the department authorized further spending after November 2025?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
I did.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Was it just you? Did the minister give the go‑ahead?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
I signed the contribution agreement.
Bloc
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
Cabinet and the government ultimately make the funding decision, but I'm the one who signs the agreement.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
You knew that the program wasn't working.
You said that you're on the board of directors. Why did you continue to spend money on a program that wasn't working?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
I'll respond in English.
It was made very clear to Infoway that the expectation was for the service to become self-sustaining. When it was clear that this was not going to happen....
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
I would just like to clarify one thing.
After November, we had to ensure a clear transition for users. We didn't want to just switch things off. Even though the service's users account for less than 5% of prescriptions, we had to ensure a smooth transition, so to speak.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
I understand. A failure, whether or not it's a total failure, remains a failure. We agree on that.
How much was spent after November 2025?
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
We already provided funding for Canada Health Infoway. We did so on an annual basis.
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
We can provide this information later. This amount is included in our agreements with Canada Health Infoway.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
So you continued to move forward to ensure a transition. Now you're telling us that you aren't quite sure of the amount, but that it seemed significant enough for you to continue making investments.
Is that right?
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
There's no connection.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
If my car breaks down and the mechanic tells me that it will cost a certain amount to repair, but that the engine will break down in a short time or that it's already broken down—
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
Clearly, the investment sought to ensure the transition for the remaining three years.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
We'll share the information with you later.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
I think that we have some answers to explain why it's a failure. If you don't know how much you're investing, it isn't very reassuring for the public.
Who recommended that the department continue, transfer or discontinue the program?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
Are you asking me who recommended this to the department?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
Canada Health Infoway's management team made the decision.
