House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 50% of the vote.
Genetically Altered Foods May 8th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.
Health Canada recently approved a variety of genetically altered tomatoes for import into Canada, without any studies being done on the long term effect of this product on consumers.
How does the minister explain the government's rapid capitulation to the forceful lobby of the American company Calgene and its approval of this product solely on the information provided government officials by the company?
V-E Day May 8th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, on this 50th anniversary of V-E Day in Europe, we will recall that although far from the battle, all of America was deeply concerned about the events taking place in Europe. While thousands of Quebecers and Canadians were fighting abroad, thousands of others contributed to the war effort on the home front.
I am referring in particular to all those women who provided support to the combatants. I am thinking about the nurses, the women who worked on farms and in factories and those who produced war materials. To all those women who, through their courage and hard work, contributed to the war effort, we are expressing today our most sincere admiration and deepest gratitude.
Government Spending May 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, how can the federal government reduce medical research funding and transfer payments, forcing the provinces to cut back on health care, while at the same time wasting $1 million to host a conference in the Italian Alps?
Government Spending May 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.
Yesterday, we could read in The Citizen that the federal government is about to host an international conference on tobacco farming in the third world and that this conference will be held at a beautiful resort in the Italian Alps, thousands of kilometres away from the Canadian capital.
Does the minister find that it makes sense, at a time when cuts are made left and right in the health sector, for Health Canada to spend nearly $1 million on a conference on tobacco farming in the third world?
Government Spending May 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, once again, taxpayers' money is going up in smoke. The federal government has chosen the Italian Alps as the site of an international conference on tobacco farming in third world countries. Yes, you heard me right, the Italian Alps.
Canadian taxpayers will pay the expenses of not only six federal representatives, but also 20 experts from various countries. How can the Government of Canada justify such an expenditure in the present context of austerity?
Once again, the federal government's total lack of common sense in the way it manages the public purse has surfaced. While the federal government's reforms are wreaking havoc on the most needy, it is spending taxpayers' money like there is no tomorrow.
Schizophrenia Society Of Canada April 27th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I inform hon. members of the launching of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada's public awareness campaign. The purpose of the campaign is quite clear: to change the public perception of schizophrenia, and to replace misconceptions with more factual information. The theme is quite catchy: if you think it is hard to pronounce, imagine what is it like to live with.
This disorder affects one out of every 100 Canadians. To combat the disease, we must become more knowledgeable about it. The campaign by the Schizophrenia Society of Canada is timely; it will improve our knowledge about schizophrenia, and that is a major step forward.
Supply April 27th, 1995
In terms of health care transfers since 1982-83, Quebec will yet again be shortchanged by Ottawa, by $2.4 billion between now and 1997-98. Then, with the increase in health care costs and the cost of new technology, it is supposed to do more with less? How can health ministers ensure that the five main principles are applied if transfer payments and social programs are cut. I do not understand how your constituents are not fighting this. You have just cut social programs.
Supply April 27th, 1995
Madam Speaker, why did Mr. Rochon, the Quebec Minister of Health, have to cut his administration in order to continue to manage certain forms of health care? Because there was a shortfall of $8 billion.
Supply April 27th, 1995
Madam Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois agrees with the five main principles of the Canada Health Act. However, and I repeat, we do not agree with dumping the deficit onto the provinces by reducing transfer payments to them, while they are facing increased health costs. The government reduces the payments and then tells the provinces they have to manage the health care system as usual, as the act provided in 1977.
I myself do not want a two-tier or a two-speed system. However, if things continue the way they are going, the provinces will be forced to find a way to manage to serve the public and administer the health care system, because they cannot manage it with the cuts in the transfer payments. This is what is happening, and the government keeps on cutting. The effect of this, at the moment, is that it is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick.
Supply April 27th, 1995
Madam Speaker, I would like to quote from the speech the minister made in 1992: "Cutting back on the transfers in these areas has not contributed to better management of our health care system. We have literally forced our deficit onto the provinces and said to the provinces they have a choice: they can either increase their taxes or cut back on their services. What we have seen in many cases is a mix of the two".
In the same speech, the minister also said: "Cutting back on the transfers in these areas has not contributed to better management of our health care system. They have only contributed to the cutbacks and to the fear that we feel now across the nation, as the middle income group, which is the largest group of Canadians, are frightened and afraid of what is going to happen to them in the future. Will there be a health care system for them, will they be able to get the drugs that they need at the prices they
can afford to pay when they need them, when they get to be a certain age. There is this feeling that perhaps the federal government is letting go of its responsibilities in this matter".