Health Committee on May 7th, 2026

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

I'm just recognizing what's been happening today. We've seen a lot of delays. We've heard members—and Chair, you pointed it out—filibustering. As Manitoba has declared a public health emergency—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Ms. Chi, there's a point of order by Mr. Mazier. He has the floor.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I think you were trying to get Mr. Blanchette-Joncas on subject. That has nothing to do with the debate, so....

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I will come to that.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Well, we have to hold each other to account.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

She just spoke one word, and if she stays on that, then I will cut her off.

Madam Chi, stay on the topic, please.

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

I think that just demonstrated to Canadians that our members couldn't even get a word in. We get cut off by points of order and points of privilege. The member opposite has presented an amendment, which members on our side agree with, yet we see disagreement from them. I would recommend that they shore up their own support first within their own party.

They claim they're worried and concerned about this topic. They claim they're worried and concerned about the topic raised by Dr. Eyolfson.

Manitoba has declared a public health emergency because HIV cases are rising at an alarming rate. New cases have increased from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025. On top of that, Manitoba's HIV rate is now more than three and a half times the national average. That's why the province declared a state of emergency on this public health crisis.

We're talking about a serious and growing crisis impacting real people—families and communities. Simply, it's unacceptable that the opposition members are blocking discussions on this motion and blocking debates on this motion—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Madam Chi, they are not blocking. In fact, they are speaking, and they have every right to speak. Please keep to the topic. Thank you.

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

I just want to say that this crisis impacts particularly indigenous communities and vulnerable populations. As you know, Mr. Blanchette-Joncas mentioned the public health workers. They are at the forefront of fighting this crisis, and they're all calling for urgent action. Canadians are calling for urgent action from this committee.

I implore opposition members to pass this motion at once so that we can speak to Canadians with confidence and say that we are taking this seriously. We support members in the province of Manitoba. We can support members like Dr. Eyolfson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Madam Chi.

I'm going to give the whole speaking list. We have Mr. Bailey, Mr. Mazier, Dr. Eyolfson, Madam Sidhu and then Mr. Strauss.

We will go to Mr. Bailey.

Please go ahead. The floor is yours.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

As I said, I'm new to committee work, but we certainly weren't filibustering. If we were filibustering, Mr. Bittle would be here and Mr. Genuis would be coming through the door. I take offence that anybody is accusing us of that.

I asked some very serious questions of you. You weren't part of this committee back when we were talking about it. What I was asking you was very honest, because I don't know how to get questions answered through the clerk.

I will be sending you an email so that we can truly understand what was said prior. I'm not going to bring in Dr. Eyolfson's Twitter or anything like that, but Mr. Blanchette-Joncas just reminded me of what was said in the House today. It really resonates with me, because even the health minister committed today that she wants to come.

On this motion, I hope the cameras stay on, and I hope this committee can vote on it today and that we work together, because I agree with Maggie and I agree with Doug. I agree with everyone. This is a very important study. That's why I brought up syphilis—because I think it is important. I really appreciate everyone agreeing with it.

Chair, I will send you that email as soon as the committee is done so we can familiarize ourselves with what happened back on May 5 with the minister and can make sure that when we start this study, the cameras stay on, and that when she appears, we get a proper opportunity to ask questions on how we can get the provinces aligned with what our study unveils.

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Mr. Bailey.

I can call the vote only when the list is exhausted. I have four more speakers.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Yes, no worries.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I have Mr. Mazier next.

Please go ahead.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I really thank Ms. Chi for her intervention and reminding us of how we got here. To call us out like we're filibustering.... I used a whole bunch of words there that show that we're really trying to get to the bottom of what the contradiction of opinion is. We've simply asked for the minister to come on a program that has failed and after $300 million has gone out the door.

By your referring to what Mr. Eyolfson said in an earlier meeting that's part of this meeting—this is just a continuation of the meeting we've had for two weeks now—I really wonder when Mr. Eyolfson was actually....

You've commented, Chair, that you don't want us to refer to X and what someone has posted, but I think it really speaks to the crux of the whole problem with misinformation when it comes to the House of Commons—

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Oh my gosh.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Chair, this is also for clarification. You read everything—the rules—when we started the meeting. What's the point of reading the rules if our members opposite are not following them—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Madam Sidhu, for bringing that forward. I will make that decision when I need to.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

With that, I think—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Right now, the floor is with Mr. Mazier.

Mr. Mazier, please go ahead.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Well, that's a fair point. Here we are, and I simply brought up what we believe about what is misinformation. I understand that we can have a difference of opinion, but Mr. Eyolfson made some very serious allegations against me on X. To say that I was gaslighting is trying to influence people so they think they're wrong. It's psychological warfare. I was not doing that. I was simply debating at the health committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Again, Mr. Mazier, please stick to the topic at hand.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

If I can't speak now in the House of Commons for myself, there's something wrong, Chair, but you're the chair.