Alexa McDonough

[Health, May 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, earlier today the health minister suggested that safety concerns over imported albumin were just a matter of paperwork, but the court order specifically raised concerns over both the quality and the purity of Alpha's blood products.

The company was ordered to discontinue immediately “all manufacturing and distribution of products using reworked, reprocessed, returned or rejected lots”.

In view of these facts how can the minister continue to dismiss concerns as just a matter of paperwork?

[Health, May 27th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, that don't worry, be happy, somebody else is minding the store attitude of the minister shows that he has not learned a thing from the Krever inquiry.

If the albumin meets Canadian standards, why is the government still importing it under the emergency measures? The minister refuses to inspect and test its unlicensed albumin. Why not enforce the Canadian law, inspect the sites, test the samples, trace the lot, and just enforce the law?

[Health, May 27th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, emergency provisions allow the health minister to permit the use of unlicensed blood products in exceptional circumstances on a case by case basis.

However the health minister is permitting unlicensed albumin to be used routinely and extensively in hospitals across the country. Instead of accusing those concerned of fearmongering, why does the minister not act before, not after another blood tragedy?

[Health, May 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, they are laxed out standards to try to evade the fact that this minister is not attending to his responsibilities.

Judge Krever recommended that the federal government “retain the duty and authority to make decisions about products to be distributed in Canada”. Yet this government has gutted the health protection branch to the point where the safety of blood products for Canadians can no longer be assured. Has the minister learned nothing from the hepatitis C tragedy?

[Health, May 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, unlicensed albumin blood product is being used on Canadians. Health officials say “Don't worry, no problem. It has been approved in the U.S.” The truth is that this blood product manufacturer has been hauled into the courts for extensive safety violations.

The health minister has a responsibility to protect the blood supply. Can the minister honestly assure Canadians that this blood product is safe?

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health has lost sight of reality. The victims of hepatitis C are appealing to the values of justice and compassion dear to the hearts of Canadians. Compensation for all is fair and income support for victims is compassionate.

The Minister of Health has no heart. When is the government going to call a meeting of the premiers to respond once and for all to the needs of the victims?

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

The health minister had an opportunity yesterday to show leadership, to make a difference. He failed and he failed miserably. He claimed he would be going to the table with an open mind. The truth is that he went to the table with a closed wallet.

Will the health minister now admit that he sabotaged the hepatitis C talks yesterday by failing to put any federal money on the table?

[Nuclear Testing, May 14th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, people want to see the foreign minister take a message directly there.

Canada's hands are not clean in this fiasco. Canada has sold nuclear materials and technology to nations that refuse to sign the non-proliferation treaty. Canada is hiding under the nuclear umbrella of the U.S. and NATO. Canada has failed to aggressively push for the global elimination of nuclear weapons. Canada must end its own ambiguity and complicity.

When will Canada show real leadership in the fight to eliminate nuclear weapons?

[Nuclear Testing, May 14th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, India's recent nuclear testing could trigger a serious arms race in south Asia. Pakistan is now threatening to test its own nuclear devices in response to India and the situation demands urgent action.

Will the Canadian government instruct the foreign affairs minister to leave the G-8 and go directly to Islamabad to dissuade Pakistan from further escalating regional tension by testing its own nuclear devices?

[Hepatitis C, May 13th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, crafting a fair compensation package demands leadership from the federal government. Dividing blood injured Canadians into two classes of victims reflects a failure of leadership.

Victims will not accept two-tier compensation. Canadians will not accept two-tier compensation.

Will the health minister categorically reject here and now all plans for two-tier compensation?