Debates of May 29th, 2024

Department of Health—Main Estimates, 2024-25

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there are strict mitigation rules around prescribed alternatives.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the minister did not hear the question, but could the minister tell Canadians if the minister believes that the distribution of so-called safe supply via vending machines is indeed safe?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, all prescribers are under strict regulatory bodies for medication and treatment to their patients.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, is this so-called safe supply via vending machines safe, yes or no?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, high levels of regulatory risk mitigation are in place for all programs by prescribers.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, could the minister tell Canadians if the MySafe project received $3.5 million in grants?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the funding to that project was discontinued.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the minister could confirm that $3.5 million was indeed given to the MySafe project.

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it was funded for several years and then discontinued. The exact number would have to be referred to officials.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, could the minister confirm how many former B.C. health officials have gone on to found a pharmaceutical company aimed at drug dealing?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have no knowledge of that.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister believe that it is appropriate for former public health officials to profit off the distribution of drugs and selling to the government they used to work for?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I do not deal in hypotheticals.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my questions will all be for the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Does the minister agree that hospitals should be safe places where patient care is a priority?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree that hospitals should be a safe place where patients receive care.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a B.C. nurse was told not to breastfeed her child in case her milk was contaminated by drugs she was exposed to at work. As a parent, does the minister find this acceptable?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, parents want all places to be safe.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, five nurses on one shift were so sick that they had to be sent to emergency because of exposure to fentanyl smoke. Does the minister find this acceptable?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, all hospitals should be safe places for those who work there. We have passed legislation to protect health workers and provinces have the same responsibilities to regulate hospitals.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, would the minister say if nurses should be exposed to fentanyl smoke in the workplace, yes or no?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we have passed legislation to ensure workplace safety, including for hospitals, that is regulated by the province. We have ensured there is legislation for health workers to be safe.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yet that did not happen under the minister in the exemption she granted to British Columbia.

Should nurses be exposed to meth smoke in their workplace, yes or no?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member well knows that health services are under the purview of provincial jurisdiction for safety and enforcement.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is in fact a combined jurisdiction.

Would the minister agree or not agree that nurses should be afraid they might be stabbed with a knife in their workplace?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I believe all members agree that workplaces, including hospitals, should be safe.