Debates of Feb. 14th, 2005

Financial Administration Act

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member brought up CAPC and one of the major recommendations was to address disharmonization across the border. Kyoto does just that.

Adopting the Kyoto protocol will spell disaster for Canada's auto industry. Even the government's own forecasting shows that adopting Kyoto would result in 80,000 automotive jobs being at risk. The truth is that the government seems to do a lot of talking but it is clearly not interested in listening.

The Liberal government threatens to drive away our auto industry if it does not commit to effective policy that will ensure stability and competitiveness of the auto industry in the face of a growing number of challenges.

As the member said, the government is not going to do anything. That is what I am concerned about. I do not want the Beacon project to meet the same fate as the ITER project. We lost ITER because Durham Liberal MPs could not get the job done and I refuse to watch the same thing happen again.

The government needs to jump on board and be up front with the people of Oshawa. Will it commit to the Beacon project and assure us that it will not--

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Marcel Proulx)]

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment.

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, let us cut through the political rhetoric. On the issue of ITER, I want to point out to the member that all members on this side of the House worked very hard on that. In fact, $100 million was put up by the government. The problem was that the private sector, which was supposed to be involved heavily in this, came back and needed another $3 billion. Even though we had the ideal site et cetera, that was an issue.

The member wants to know about the auto sector. I made it very clear that we are prepared to work with the member for Oshawa. The member for Oshawa is engaged in the polemics. He is not engaging in the real issue of the day. His party continues to run away from its obligations to deal with the real issues concerning climate change. California and other jurisdictions in the United States are moving ahead--

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Marcel Proulx)]

The hon. member for Charleswood--St. James--Assiniboia.

[Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have raised the issue of hepatitis C compensation for those who were infected by tainted blood on numerous occasions. The government has continued to delay and dodge the question. I will ask my question one more time and very simply. Will the government stop discriminating against the pre-1986 and post-1990 victims of tainted blood? When can these people expect compensation?

We have heard from the minister that an actuarial report is due in June, but people continue to suffer and die from this tragic event. When can people expect this actuarial report? When will Canadians be able to have comfort in knowing that these people will be compensated?

I would like to point out that there is a huge surplus in the hepatitis C fund and yet the Liberals have continued to deny people access to the surplus even though it is clear that they will be able to pay compensation as required to the people who have not yet died.

The minister has suggested that lawyers are going to be involved in determining compensation availability through the fund. The last time this was put to lawyers, it cost the victims' fund approximately $58.5 million. How much will come out of victims' pockets this time around?

Roger Perrault, who was in charge of the Red Cross blood program during the 1980s and who was charged by the RCMP with three counts of negligence in regard to the issue of tainted blood, has asked the courts to drop criminal charges against him. Victims across Canada are demanding the Crown oppose that move. I wonder if the parliamentary secretary could provide assurances to Canadians that the person who was responsible for this tragedy will not get off easy and will be pursued to the full extent of the law.

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question which was originally directed to the Minister of Health. I congratulate the member on raising these issues. I know it is important to him and obviously important to others, including myself in this House.

Clearly, many departments are involved in this dealing with stakeholders and particularly the ministry of health. As the hon. member knows, extensive detail on the activity which he raises has been a priority.

Health Canada is engaged in a careful assessment and analysis of the options to address possible risk to the drug supply, particularly the issue of prices. As the minister has made clear, the issue will soon be discussed in cabinet. I give that assurance to the member. We continue to monitor the situation south of the border. As the member knows, there has been increased demand by Americans.

Current levels of cross-border drug sales are a small fraction of the total U.S. market. There are millions of Americans who have no health coverage at all, no adequate health insurance at all. Clearly, cross-border drug sales from Canada are not a sustainable solution to the potential needs of those people.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

He did not ask about drugs. Answer the question. It is about hepatitis C.

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate, the member is listening attentively. If his colleagues would listen attentively, they might learn something.

The minister will respect the deliberations of the standing committee. However, the minister has also stated that he is prepared to act if it is in the national interest to do so. The government will always act in the national interest.

In practice, yes, that means that the government will take action if such action is necessary to protect the health of 31 million Canadians. There is much potential at stake. If required, we will act to preserve the very features of our system that Americans do not enjoy. While we are not unsympathetic, it is clear that we must take care of Canadians first.

With regard to the punishment of an individual, I cannot comment on any case that is before the courts. I say to the member and I want to emphasize that it is a small minority of Canadian practitioners whose ethical and professional practices are cause for the concern. The fact that there is a small group is still an issue for this government. As I said, there are avenues that the government is currently looking at to deal with that. The great majority of doctors and pharmacists are complying.

This is an important issue. As I said, there will be a discussion shortly before cabinet in terms of dealing ultimately with the health and safety of all Canadians.

[Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James, MB]

Mr. Speaker, that was quite something. My question dealt with the compensation for people who received hepatitis C due to tainted blood.

What the member was just talking about was Internet pharmacies. I did not raise that issue. I am not talking about that issue. I find it very disturbing that he would not even answer the question that I am raising, or any of the questions.

It is disconcerting because it shows the contempt perhaps of this government toward these victims. I am utterly astounded that the Minister of Health has not taken the time to deal with this issue nor the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, but we have the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment answering these questions.

Even though it has been widely publicized and everyone knows about this issue, the response has nothing to do with the questions which were raised and with which we are now dealing. The member's response makes a mockery of this whole process. I am profoundly disappointed, mostly for the victims of hepatitis C.

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on the issue of hepatitis C, the government has made it very clear about the issue of compensation.

The hon. member knows that originally there were certain years where compensation was going to be awarded. It was due to the fact that it could only be based on the information available at that time. The minister has made an announcement with regard to the issue of compensation across the board. Clearly, the member has an interest in this issue. However, the government has made its plans clear.

This member may not agree with the form or the type of compensation that is being offered. However, I would point out to the member that what is important is the long-term assistance for individuals affected by hepatitis C. It is very important that the financial resources be there for the health of those individuals, particularly in the area of drugs which can be, and I am sure the member knows, very expensive. That kind of compensation and that kind of assistance to deal in the long-term with the hepatitis C issue is extremely important.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Marcel Proulx)]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

The House adjourned at 6:50 p.m.)