House of Commons Hansard #51 of the 38th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was trade.
Pharmaceutical IndustryOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order, please. We have to be able to hear what the mind is. The minister is trying to explain the answer and we cannot hear because there seems to be a lot of noise. The hon. Minister of Health.
Ujjal Dosanjh Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Mr. Speaker, obviously it has been difficult for the members opposite to register some of my views on their minds.
The situation is the President of the Treasury Board and I have said very clearly that we want good medicine based on good ethics across the country, including in Manitoba. We will ensure that the medicine practice is conducted on the basis--
Pharmaceutical IndustryOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. member for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia.
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James, MB
Mr. Speaker, it seems that some people have had a lobotomy. If the minister is calling the shots, cabinet meetings must be like a gun-fight in a dark room.
The Toronto Star knows that the minister is giving in to American pressure and seems hell-bent on making a decision before the health committee can report on this issue in a thoughtful, thorough and timely manner.
Could the minister please answer yes or no. Will he respect the parliamentary process and allow the committee to complete its important work, yes or no?
Ujjal Dosanjh LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I have always said that we want to protect the pricing regime in the country. It is the member opposite who has had difficulty making up his mind.
On December 1, within the space of one minute, he said, first, that we must protect the value of pharmaceuticals to Canadians. Second, he said that we must heed the economic benefit of a new industry and the more than 4,000 job. Third, he said that export permits would be a good start. Fourth, he said that they were also bad because they could shut down the industry. Fifth, he said that we must be unequivocal.
It is time he make up his mind.
Meili Faille Bloc Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Mr. Speaker, Mohamed Cherfi has been detained in the United States since Canada deported him after removing him from a Quebec church. A group of Quebeckers has been trying to sponsor him ever since. Immigration Canada promised them a response by January 7, but they are still waiting a month later.
Can the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration explain to us why his department is dragging its feet on this, thereby delaying Quebec's decision on Mohamed Cherfi's status?
Joe Volpe LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, this case is still under review. We want to make all the best possible decisions. I am committed to providing him with a response that complies with all departmental regulations.
Russ Powers Liberal Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, the issue of Internet pharmacies is front and centre in the news. It has been suggested that the health minister may introduce legislation to control their activities.
Could the Minister of Health assure Canadians that our drug supply, both retail and wholesale, will be protected if legislation is introduced?
Ujjal Dosanjh LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, it is for that very reason, to protect good medicine based on good ethics and to protect the pricing regime that provides affordable drugs at affordable prices to all Canadians, that we shall be acting.
Richard Marceau Bloc Charlesbourg, QC
Mr. Speaker, for a long time now the federal government has needed to meet its financial commitment for the World Police and Fire Games to be held in Quebec City this summer.
During his recent visit to Quebec City, the Minister of Transport and minister responsible for the region promised to contact several federal departments for the $700,000 needed to ensure the success of this major international event.
Can the minister tell us what responses he got from his colleagues?
Jacques Saada LiberalMinister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for the Francophonie
Mr. Speaker, we need specific information before deciding which projects are eligible and which are not.
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, three documents from the September 13 to 15, 2004 first ministers meeting on the future of health care entitled “A 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care”; “Asymmetrical Federalism that Respects Quebec's Jurisdiction”; and “Improving Aboriginal Health: First Ministers' and Aboriginal Leaders' Meeting.
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments made recently by the government.
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Finance
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-39, an act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and to enact an act respecting the provision of funding for diagnostic and medical equipment.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participation in the meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region held in Brussels, Belgium, November 28-30, 2004.
I would like to thank the staff of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association. These meetings were a part of the work of the Arctic Council, which involves the eight polar nations and three major northern indigenous groups.
The main focus of the meetings was the Arctic climate impact assessment which demonstrates the impact of global warming in the north. The meetings also dealt with the University of the Arctic, with which Canada is greatly involved.
I would like to thank our former colleague, Clifford Lincoln, for his fine work over many years with this particular group.
Marlene Catterall Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage concerning CBC Radio-Canada programming goals and objectives.
John Maloney Liberal Welland, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-323, an act to change the name of the electoral district of Welland.
Mr. Speaker, I made the motion for leave to introduce this private member's bill that would change the name of my electoral district from Welland to Niagara South--Centre.
The name “Welland” is a little bit misleading because the city of Welland is but one of four regional municipalities plus part of a fifth. I believe it is inequitable that the name of a riding reflects only one community, not to mention that it is confusing for constituents who do not live in the city of Welland.
I submit the name “Niagara South--Centre” is a good compromise and, at the same time, does not infringe on any current provincial riding names in the area.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Gary Goodyear Conservative Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to present three petitions pursuant to Standing Order 36 from my riding of Cambridge.
The first petition calls upon Parliament to protect our children, taking all necessary steps to ensure all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia or sado-masochistic activities involving children are outlawed.
Gary Goodyear Conservative Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, the second and third petitions call upon Parliament to respect and uphold the current law which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.
Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Middlesex—Kent—Lambton, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I wish to present a petition on behalf of constituents who reside in the villages of Melbourne and Mount Brydges in the riding of Lambton—Kent—Middlesex.
The petitioners pray that Parliament define marriage in federal law as being a lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.
Nina Grewal Conservative Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition today from my constituents in Fleetwood—Port Kells who are asking that the federal government take immediate action to lower the interest payments on the debt and make a serious effort to repay the debt in a reasonable timeframe.
They are also asking for an investigation into the deliberate misspending and to investigate those who have profited from it.
Rahim Jaffer Conservative Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, I too have the honour to present a petition from a number of people in and around Edmonton calling on Parliament to address the issue of children suffering from autism. They have made two specific points, which are quite lengthy so I will not read them into the record, but they are asking for Parliament to deal with the issue of autism spectrum disorder.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
February 7th, 2005 / 3:10 p.m.
Beauséjour New Brunswick
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.