Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her speech.
One of the reasons that Vanessa's law did not come to the House sooner is the wide consultations the government did. They have been very significant and wide ranging. The government consulted with numerous stakeholders, including patients, consumers, the industry, and health care professionals. It was a very exhaustive consultation.
Some of the key groups included the Canadian Treatment Action Council, PharmaWatch, which I believe the member is aware of, the Best Medicines Coalition, the Canadian Nurses Association, the Canadian Medical Association, and the provinces and territories.
The round tables with these patient groups and health care professionals yielded widely based support for a strengthened drug safety system.
They also enthusiastically supported increased recall powers and increased fines and penalties that would better reflect the very serious nature of the offences.
These consultations provided the opportunity for these groups to fine-tune the provisions in Vanessa's law before it was brought before the House.
Canada needs this law. We need it soon.
I would like to ask the member opposite this. Does her party, the official opposition, intend to allow the bill to go to committee today?