Mr. Speaker, I would like to share my time with my colleague from Wentworth—Burlington.
I rise to speak to the motion put forward by the member for Palliser which invites representatives from the Hepatitis C Society of Canada to the upcoming meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health regarding the question of compensation for victims of tainted blood.
Beyond the debates and the motions there exists a fundamental reality, which is for us all to find solutions, solutions which are sustainable, which are just and fair, and which take into account all the circumstances and constraints of the particular case.
Beyond the arguments on this issue, which have gone on now for many days, and beyond the debates, we must look positively at the latest developments which offer a real possibility of a new consensus emerging which might rally not only the governments involved, provincial, territorial and federal, but especially the people who are members of the Hepatitis C Society of Canada.
From my volunteer involvement over a number of years with the developmentally disabled, I have gained a strong belief that the very cornerstone of any community, of society as a whole, is the volunteer movement, for they know better than anyone else everything there is to know about their own cause, the cause of the people they represent, the needy, the disabled or hepatitis C victims.
Looking at society as a whole, the volunteer groups, whether involved with health, with the environment or with culture, are its very backbone.
This is why this motion is of the utmost importance. Of course it is easy for us to play the role of partisans, to blame this person and that person, and to have very strong partisan debates on an issue which involves people and victims.
This motion gives us an opportunity to look above and beyond, to rally around the possibility that a consensus might emerge which might provide solutions and broaden the existing consensus. In that sense we must look positively at the approach of the premier of Ontario who, in reversing his previous stance, has decided to put up to $200 million into the fund. That in itself has provoked the idea of a new meeting of the federal, provincial and territorial ministers.
In that sense we think the motion put forward by the member for Palliser is extremely important in that it will enable the representatives of the Hepatitis C Society of Canada to be an integral part of any debate and discussion which might lead to further consensus.
That is why we on this side of the House accept this motion. We find it to be constructive and beneficial to all. We will be happy to support it and to vote for it because it is in the light of this motion that the people involved will have a chance to say their peace, will have a chance to be part of a new consensus which we hope will lead to a solution which will be beneficial to all victims involved in this issue.