Debates of Nov. 26th, 2020

Health—Main Estimates, 2020-21

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, the work we have done to procure the diversity of vaccines in our vaccine portfolio is truly a great thing for Canadians. In fact, it means that Canadians will have access to a variety of different kinds of vaccines. Provinces and territories, as well, will have access to a variety of different kinds of vaccines to deliver in their health care jurisdictional authority.

Our regulators are working on the three companies that have submitted to date to ensure that we can approve them quickly, working with our U.S. counterparts and our EU counterparts. As soon as a vaccine is shown to be safe in Canada, we will make sure that Canadians have access to that vaccine.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, Canadian Blood Services is begging Canadians across this country to donate blood this holiday season in the midst of a second wave. I want to donate and make a difference, but I cannot because I am gay.

In the year 2020, why is that?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Chair, I think the member opposite likely knows that the Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec are independent from the government and set regulations according to their own protocols. However, we have been funding both the Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec to better understand how to end the blood ban. I agree with the member opposite. We need to take stronger steps to ensure they have the research they need to—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, here is the problem. The minister in the Liberal government made the promise to end the discrimination and stigma that gay men face in this country. She had no problem during the election campaign telling gay men this would end. Now, she is hiding behind a bunch of bureaucrats and organizations. She did not plan, and did not tell people they would study it for years and delay it.

Why is she breaking her promise that she made during an election campaign to gay men in this country?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, we successfully funded Héma-Québec and Canadian Blood Services to do the necessary work to eliminate the blood ban. As members know, the organizations have reduced significantly the time that gay men must wait before giving blood, and we will continue that work.

I agree with the member opposite. This does need to end. The research is ongoing and we anticipate they will—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, the minister tonight has used the buzzword a robust portfolio. Let me tell her that there is a robust portfolio of gay men in this country who want to step forward, make a difference and donate blood. They want to give blood like you promised you would allow us to do.

What date can I book my appointment to make a difference, save lives and donate blood?

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

I remind the member that I did not make any promise, but I will let the minister answer the question.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, I want to thank the member opposite for his commitment to Canadians and his desire to serve his country by donating blood. Truly I know that many men and others around the country wish to be helpful during this time of need, and I thank him for that.

As the member opposite notes, we have funded both blood services to complete research so that they can take steps to eliminate the blood ban and, in fact, that is solely in their jurisdiction—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, this is going to be a long seven and a half-minute exchange, and very painful for the minister because she did not promise to study or review or fund or do anything. She promised to end it. It was in the Liberal Party platform. If she could commit to doing that, she needs to back up and put her words into action.

The minister said she would end it. Why did she make that promise, if now she is saying there is another path that has to get there? Why is the minister breaking her promise to gay men, which she made five years ago and counting?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, again, I want to thank the member opposite for his commitment to serving Canada during this time of need. I can understand his frustration. I am frustrated too, but I will say this: The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec to complete that research and end the blood ban. He is exactly right. We committed—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, I am frustrated too and it is personal for me.

The minister had no problem during an election campaign, alongside the Prime Minister, to end the stigma and end the discrimination against gay men in this country. To hear that answer and the waving all over the place, I hope gay men watch this and see what is actually happening.

I want to get personal. Would the minister take my blood?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, I want to first say that this party has done more for LGBTQ2+ rights than any party before it. In fact, the Conservatives, as we know, have been no friend to gay men in their history in leadership.

I will answer the question with this: I will obviously support the member's efforts to end the gay blood ban. I—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, I am going to ask again. I am not going to let it go. Would the minister take my blood?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, as the member opposite knows, this government is committed to supporting the rights of LGBTQ2+ people. In fact—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, I am going to ask a third time. The minister is perpetuating a stigma here. She is the one who can act. She is the one who can deliver. She is the one who can put an end to this.

Does she not feel comfortable, with me being a gay man, taking my blood?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, I support the end of the gay blood ban. That is why I am part of a government that has provided research to Héma-Québec and CBS, and we will continue to press them to submit to Health Canada to end that ban.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, this is not funny. This is not what she promised gay men: to end the stigma over five years ago.

Here is the part that makes it worse. There is an easy, science-based and fair solution that could end the stigma and the discrimination against gay men. The Canadian Medical Association has said it, and the All Blood is Equal campaign has said it.

Can the minister tell the House exactly what that is? What is the solution?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, when the Conservatives were in power, the deferral period was five years and we have reduced it to three months. There is more to do.

I agree with the member opposite. I think the gay blood ban needs to end. That is why we funded the research to the two blood services, and we expect them to submit their recommendations to Health Canada. As soon as they do, we will review them and make the changes.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Madam Chair, let me get this straight, no pun intended. The minister does not even know what the simple answer is to end this discrimination.

It is simple. We can change our blood donation policy in this country by not basing eligibility on sexual orientation, but rather on sexual behaviour. She knows the solution. She would not even say it. I hope she knows the solution. If she can make the promise, she should know what the answer is.

She knows it is safe. She knows it is the right thing to do. When can gay men finally get the stigma and discrimination ended? It has been five years. It has not been the Conservatives. It is not years ago. She is the health minister now. She promised it five years ago. When can I donate blood?