Health Committee on May 7th, 2026

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

As I said, it's an extremely important study, and I will give this verbal notice:

“Given that

“(a) the Liberal government's PrescribeIT program cost Canadian taxpayers $300 million over 10 years and was quietly shut down in February 2026 after reaching fewer than 5% of Canadian prescriptions, meaning doctors are still faxing prescriptions in 2026, exactly as they were when the program launched;

“(b) Michael Green served as president and chief executive officer of Canada Health Infoway for over 11 years, overseeing every major decision related to the PrescribeIT program from its inception through its wind-down, and was therefore the single most knowledgeable witness available to this committee;

“(c) Mr. Green appeared before this committee on April 21, 2026. He refused to disclose his own compensation when asked directly by members, claiming he did not have that information at hand, and had to be instructed twice by the chair to provide it;

“(d) Documents subsequently disclosed to this committee revealed that Mr. Green received nearly $900,000 in total compensation in fiscal year 2024-2025, including an at-risk bonus component that increased in the same fiscal year the Infoway board voted to declare PrescribeIT unviable and begin winding down the program;

“(e) Mr. Green was dismissed as CEO, effective immediately, on April 29, 2026, eight days after his appearance before this committee, a decision taken by his own board that raises serious questions about his fitness to have led this program and the adequacy of the accountability mechanisms in place throughout its operation; and

“(f) When asked by committee members whether Telus Health was the lowest bidder for the original PrescribeIT contract, Mr. Green could not confirm this when asked—

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

There is a point of order, Madam Konanz.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Has that motion been distributed in both languages?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

It's just a verbal motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

This is a verbal notice. She can read it in one of the official languages.

I can tell you right now that I made a request in the beginning that if we.... Because I did not clearly say.... Last week I did the same thing. I allowed the member to read the motion, because they have every right to read the motion, but I requested that, if motions like this came in, because of the two official languages, instead of reading the motion, we could have it circulated. The member has decided not to circulate it but to read it. It's her right, and she's doing that.

Go ahead, Madam Konanz.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Thank you.

“(f) When asked by the committee members whether TELUS Health was the lowest bidder for the original PrescribeIT contract, Mr. Green could not confirm this. When asked how many companies competed for the contract, he did not know. When asked whether PrescribeIT measurably reduced opioid-related harm or fraud as budget 2017 explicitly promised it would, he said he did not have that information;

“The committee summon Michael Green, former president and chief executive officer of Canada Health Infoway, to appear before the committee for no less than two hours on June 9, 2026.”

That's it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Madam Konanz.

Madam Konanz has read this motion.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I am asking for unanimous consent.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

It is fair for her to read it, but at the same time, the question that Madam Sidhu raised in her point of order was also very fair. If we want to save time at this committee by just focusing on HIV, these motions can be circulated in both official languages in the future.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I'm just asking for UC. It won't take time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

It has been read. The only thing I allow is for it to be read.

We'll now move on to—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I have a point of order.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I haven't finished yet.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

If you haven't finished yet, Madam Konanz, you can continue.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Is there no UC?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I need to know when you are finished, because I would not interrupt you.

Please tell me when you are done.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I asked for UC.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Is there UC?

No, so please continue.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I will continue.

Speaking about HIV, one thing that probably—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Madam Konanz, I don't want to say it directly. I'm trying to say indirectly, being very professional and very fair. When you ask for this, half of the people don't even know what you are asking the UC for. You see what you are reading.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

It's not her fault.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Honestly, I'll tell you right now. If I'm raising this, Mr. Mazier, I'm raising it fairly, because if I get it from non-partisan sources, I have to respect that. You have to respect that too.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Absolutely.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

The floor is with Madam Konanz.