Anne McLellan

[Health, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member is well aware, the provinces, territorial leaders and the Prime Minister last September entered into an accord in which they committed themselves to health renewal.

That health renewal is taking place across the country. That is a renewal process that we in the federal government support. We support it because all premiers and all territorial leaders have reiterated their commitment to the five principles of the Canada Health Act in the public financed health care system.

[Health, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly thank the hon. member for his concern about my position, but let me reassure him that I am not out on any limb.

As I said earlier, we take emergency preparedness very seriously. I cannot give the hon. member the exact numbers today but I would happy to do so in response to his question.

Canadians should be reassured that we in the federal government are working with our provincial and territorial colleagues to meet any risk to the health and safety of Canadians.

[Health, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am unable this afternoon to give the hon. member the exact number, but let me reassure everyone in the House and all Canadians that the Department of Health working in partnership with other federal, provincial and territorial departments take emergency preparedness very seriously.

We are working in partnership to ensure that we have the plans in place to protect Canadians against all threats.

[Health, February 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite clear that what we are concerned about is the renewal of the health care system.

Let me remind the official opposition that it was, I believe, a member of its party who endorsed the concept of two tier health care, a concept that we are strongly opposed to.

We are committed, as are all the provincial and territorial premiers, to the five principles of the Canada Health Act within a publicly financed system. We will renew the health care system within that context.

[Health, February 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday in the House, we have been on board with the provinces, working collaboratively with them for many years.

The accord signed by the Prime Minister and the premiers in September of 2000 speaks to a shared commitment in relation to the renewal of the health care system. Not only did we enter into an accord but the federal government put another $21 billion on the table in relation to the CHST that will be paid out over the next five years.

The federal government has been on board, it has shown leadership and it will continue to work in partnership with the provinces.

[Health, February 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we have already indicated that we would like the provinces to await the outcome of the Romanow national discussions and recommendations before undertaking major changes to their delivery of health care in their respective jurisdictions.

I do hope the hon. member is not suggesting that any of us in the delivery of our health care services can afford to stand still and not make the kinds of decisions that are part and parcel of the operation of any health care system.

[Health, February 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the government has taken a leadership role in the renewal of health care. That is what the accord was about in September 2000.

In fact I am a little surprised that the Canadian Alliance, of all parties, should suggest that it is the federal government that would impose a solution upon Canadians and the provinces in relation to the renewal of health care.

Health care is a national program, a national asset. That is why Mr. Romanow is going to begin a national dialogue with Canadians. I am committed to working with the provinces and the territories to renew health care in this country.

[Health, February 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me remind the hon. member, far from stalling, the Prime Minister and the premiers signed an agreement in September 2000 in which they all recommitted to the five principles to the Canada Health Act and agreed to an eight point plan for the renewal of health care.

In addition, at that time the federal government added 21 billion new dollars over the next five years through the CHST for the funding of health care.

The government has not been standing still with its partners in the provinces in relation to the renewal of health care in this country.

[Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, February 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32 I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, the interim report of the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada.

[Health, February 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me reassure the hon. member that animal insulin is available in this country. In fact, my department is not hiding information in relation to adverse reactions. The department is well aware of the reactions and of the tragic deaths.

Let me also underscore the fact that in relation to any drug there are adverse reactions. Diabetes is a particularly complex and difficult disease. What we are doing is studying those adverse reactions.

I also want to reassure the hon. member that doctors have available to them the product monograph in which it clearly indicates the possibility of adverse reactions.