Mr. Speaker, I continue to draw the government's attention to its abysmal record regarding Canada's hepatitis C victims. Yesterday was the second anniversary of the health minister's plan to compensate these people.
What is the status of the compensation plan? To date, the lawyers have been paid. What about the actual victims who need the money? Well, the lawyers have been paid. What a sad excuse for compassionate health care.
Two years ago the Liberal government made a personal commitment to Joey Haché on behalf of all hep C victims. However, people infected with this incurable disease have seen no compensation and no apology. The only action the government has been consistent with is its failure to honour its obligations.
For each day the federal government continues to stall on this issue, more hep C victims are dying and losing their personal dignity. Not only has the government treated these people poorly, it has completely dismissed all other victims who did not fall into its arbitrary 1986 to 1999 window. How callous.
On behalf of all hep C victims, the Canadian Alliance will continue to hold this government accountable for its inaction regarding compensation. The government ought to be ashamed of itself.