Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the member for New Brunswick Southwest, although I believe the question he asked of the minister some time ago was with respect to the bureau of veterinary drugs.
However, if his question is about the HPB, the health protection branch, I want to assure him that this minister and this government take the health of Canadians very seriously. We understand the very important role that is played by the health protection branch.
The minister today in the House spoke about a task which has been undertaken that will look at the role of the HPB into the future. We have begun a countrywide consultation.
There has already been a meeting in Halifax. There will be meetings right across this country. I would encourage the member opposite to participate in those discussions. The role of the health protection branch, whether in veterinary drugs, pesticide management, approval of new drugs, medical devices and so forth, touches the lives of Canadians every day. It also has a very important role to play in the area of not only protection but promotion.
We are all equally concerned about ensuring that Canada is as prepared as it can be and that we have the very best science. That is the reason the minister brought together leading Canadians with a science focus. The science advisory committee is overseeing the review.
We are very serious about ensuring that the health of Canadians is protected at all times and that the role of the federal government and Health Canada under HPB is appropriate to meet the needs of Canadians today and into the new millennium.