Mr. Speaker, the member for Mississauga South is obviously very well versed on health issues. I bring the following proposition to his attention.
These past few weeks, the Minister of Health has been criticized by Bloc Quebecois members, and the Bloc's critic for health in particular, for his initiative concerning cheese made from raw milk. I am one of those members who represent rural ridings. Of course, prima facie, nobody wants stricter rules to be imposed on any industry, especially not one located in our own electoral riding.
At any rate, the health minister did bring this issue to the attention of the House, or rather submitted it through the regulatory process to seek the public's opinion.
I bring the following to the attention of the House. I do this with the concurrence of my electors. A constituent of mine, Mr. Robert Redmond, son of Mrs. Barbara and Mr. J.P. Redmond of Vankleek Hill, Ontario, is presently in a hospital in Toronto recovering from having contracted listeria bacteria, apparently from having consumed raw milk cheese. This person is now paralyzed.
I ask my colleague if he does not agree with me that as difficult as this issue is, the Minister of Health is right in at least gazetting this particular regulation to make sure that in a responsible way, which he is as the minister, that all sides of this issue be heard.
I have more constituents who are dairy producers than anyone else in the House-