Debates of Feb. 14th, 2022

Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my Bloc colleague from La Pointe-de-l'Île for his question. I think he is right.

Clearly, COVID-19 has weakened the public health care system, but it was struggling long before COVID-19 came along. More investment is needed, because the virus is putting a burden on the provinces when it is the federal government's responsibility to protect our universal public health care system.

I think there is also a new threat to our universal public health system. Some provinces have decided to allow the private sector to provide certain exams and other treatments to reduce the stress on the public health care system.

We need to pay the workers in this sector better, and we need to protect our public health system. To do this, the federal government needs to give more, such as grants to the provinces to support their work, so that all Canadians and Quebeckers have access to an excellent public health care system.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her comments this evening. She really respects this particular individual and the research and literature he has produced, so I have a question for her regarding that.

I want to bring to the member's attention something that concerns me. It is a red flag. There are many highly reputable, recognized, published and award-winning members of our society, such as scientists, epidemiologists, professors and researchers, who have high reputations until they challenge the science. I think challenging it is really important to ensure that we are getting good information. Canadians are concerned about that.

What would the member say about the fact that the highest medical professional in South Africa indicated that omicron should be allowed to spread, to some degree, to build natural immunity and strength within humanity?

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is good to see my hon. colleague from Yorkton—Melville, and I look forward to seeing her in person again.

I do not think we can gamble with a virus this dangerous based on the opinion of a minority of scientists. I do not doubt there are people who are reputable. I have seen them and I have read their literature. If I could find peer-reviewed studies published in renowned medical journals that would confront the basics of what I shared with the member and the House today, I would love to be wrong.

This is dangerous, and I do not think we can gamble with the health of the entire planet. We need to get vaccines to developing countries. We need testing, tracing and social distancing. We need to maintain our public health protocols as best we can and work to eliminate the virus. We cannot live with it. It feeds on us.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

We are out of time for questions and comments. Are there any other members who wish to speak to this? I hear no one.

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

The question is on the motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

The hon. member for Winnipeg North.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, we ask that there be a recorded vote, please.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

Pursuant to an order made earlier today, the division stands deferred until Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Accordingly, pursuant to order made earlier today, the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 15, at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 12:19 a.m.)