Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 52, I wish to request that the House hold an emergency debate regarding federal government compensation for all contaminated blood victims.
The federal and provincial governments signed an agreement on March 27, 1998 to compensate all those who contracted the hepatitis C virus through contaminated blood between January 1, 1986 and July 1, 1990. Under this agreement, those who contracted the hepatitis C virus through contaminated blood before or after the dates mentioned in the agreement are not eligible for compensation.
Despite repeated requests from all opposition parties, the federal government still refuses to compensate victims excluded from the agreement with the provinces.
As justification, the federal government invoked the agreement signed with the provinces. Government members suggested, however, that the government might re-examine its position if the provinces were prepared to propose extending the compensation program to all victims.
Yesterday, one of the parties to the agreement took a stand against the federal government's position. The Quebec National Assembly unanimously passed the following motion introduced by the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, and I quote:
That the National Assembly, subsequent to the motion passed unanimously on December 2, 1997, declare its support, on humanitarian grounds, for extending the existing compensation program to all contaminated blood victims not covered by the program.
That the costs of extending this program be funded by the federal government, since the Government of Quebec is already covering the costs of all care and services provided to these individuals.
That the Government of Quebec urge the federal government to follow up on this resolution and encourage the other provinces to make a similar request of the federal government.
In light of the Quebec National Assembly's unanimous vote, it is our view that the House of Commons should immediately and on an urgent basis consider its request. Members will understand that, for humanitarian reasons, we cannot allow those who contracted the hepatitis C virus from contaminated blood and who are ineligible for compensation to remain in uncertainty.
I therefore ask you, Mr. Speaker, to make it possible for the House to truly play its role, and for all parliamentarians to be able to express their views freely, unfettered by party politics.
I urge you, Mr. Speaker, to give favourable consideration to my request for an emergency debate on humanitarian grounds.