Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that my colleague opposite raised the issue of information, because lack of information was one of the major contributing factors to the problem we are dealing with now. I asked a question earlier, and I would like to ask it again because I have not really received an answer yet.
My colleague said that the voluntary reporting system for potential shortages works really well. The United States is bringing in a mandatory system. Companies will have to disclose when they expect a shortage of certain drugs. Congress is even talking about imposing fines of up to $1.8 million if companies do not announce a potential shortage at least six months in advance.
I would like to know how the member can justify a voluntary system that lets companies choose whether or not to announce a shortage, compared to a mandatory system that makes them responsible for advance notification and holds them accountable.