Mr. Speaker, $1.1 billion is sitting in the compensation fund for victims of hepatitis C from tainted blood and it is not being used. Meanwhile, more than $250,000 a month is being spent on administrative costs alone.
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health passed a motion last week calling on the federal government to extend compensation to all those who contracted hepatitis C through tainted blood. The motion was introduced by the Conservative member for Yellowhead, the vice-chair of the committee, and the motion passed unanimously.
The motion passed by the health committee reads as follows:
That this Committee, in recognition of the recommendation of the Krever Inquiry and the large surplus in the federal Hepatitis C compensation fund, urge the government to extend compensation to all those who contracted Hepatitis C from tainted blood.
The committee is sending a pretty strong message to the government. With over $1 billion left in the fund and far fewer victims than first estimated, the excuses are running out. There is more than enough money to compensate all of the victims.
Would the minister confirm that he will act immediately--