Lost his last election, in 2006, with 38% of the vote.
Question No. 62 March 24th, 2004
In December 2000, Health Canada signed a five year contract with Prairie Plant Systems Inc. The total value of the contract was $5,751,250.00. As of March 12, 2004, $3,476,399.70, GST included, had been paid to Prairie Plant Systems Inc. to grow marijuana underground in the mine at Flin Flon, Manitoba.
Health March 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I thought that the opposition felt that I rose too often in this House. I am thrilled to rise and I never miss an opportunity to do so, especially when I have a chance to point out that we have made a new investment of $100 million in the Health Infoway, a project in which the Quebec government is participating. It will provide us with a system of faster alerts for epidemics and diseases.
We have invested $400 million in vaccination, creating a fund from which Quebec and the other provinces can draw to improve vaccination. For the long term, I count on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to work—
Sponsorship Program March 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the show the hon. member for Roberval is putting on for the cameras. Obviously, it bothers members opposite a great deal to be reminded of the Conseil de la souveraineté and all their ties to it.
I can tell the hon. members that all the projects approved under this fund are on the books and in the Public Accounts of Canada. They are part of the public accounts. They were included in regular programs of various departments and have been approved, in all transparency, under Treasury Board standards.
Still, it is painful for them to recall the bad memories for which they are responsible.
Sponsorship Program March 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we will not mention the Conseil de la souveraineté and ties to Oxygène 9. Members opposite keep quiet about that kind of thing.
I can say that this fund has existed within the government since 1992. In fact, it was set up by the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney.
All government programs and commitments related to this fund went through regular government procedure. They were approved by the Treasury Board and are part of the public accounts, line by line.
There is nothing secretive about this, and the opposition knows it.
Health March 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I can say that I am much prouder of our management of public finances than that of the PQ, which forced the Société générale de financement to get into debt, not to mention what it did to the Caisse de dépôt and Oxygène 9. These are friends of Raymond Bréard and of the people who are trying to lecture us in this House.
Mr. Séguin, Quebec's Minister of Finance, made five requests regarding the equalization program. He asked us to spread this year's shortfall over a five year period and we agreed to do that. For the first time in 15 years, we have been able to integrate the property tax equalization formula—
Health March 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, allow me to say that this wonderful surplus, the seventh one in seven consecutive budgets, is absolutely necessary and also benefits Quebec as well as all the other provinces. This surplus allows everyone to enjoy lower interest rates.
In the specific case of Quebec, I will say one thing. Mr. Séguin made five requests relating to equalization. My colleague, the Minister of Finance, reacted positively to each of these five requests concerning the equalization formula, which includes property taxes.
Health March 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, there will be no more playing politics. We have invested $500 million in public health, which will allow us to make improvements, including in Quebec. The $2 billion figure has been confirmed. What we made absolutely clear in this responsible budget, for which I congratulate the Minister of Finance, is the presence of the financial leeway to allow us to work with the provinces on a plan for reform, with the financial resources to ensure the long term viability of our health care system.
Sponsorship Program March 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has asked the Clerk of the Privy Council to carry out a detailed review of this reserve fund, and this will be done. No new project has been initiated by this government and this Prime Minister since December 12.
What we want to do with regard to national unity is to adopt a new approach to avoid confrontation and bring in an era of cooperation. I know that some people would rather quarrel because that is their life's work. Confrontation and quarrels are what they do best, and that are not what this government wants to do.
Sponsorship Program March 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, at the time, the Prime Minister did have a reserve fund, which he used to support projects throughout Canada when he felt they promoted national unity.
However, the current Prime Minister has asked the Clerk of the Privy Council to conduct a detailed review of this reserve fund. I can tell the House that no new project has been initiated by this government and this Prime Minister with this fund.
Question No. 35 March 22nd, 2004
As of January 1, 2004, the natural health products regulations came into force and apply to all natural health products, NHPs. The regulations set out the requirements for the importation of NHPs. Sections A.01.040 to A.01.044 of the food and drug regulations that govern importation are incorporated in the regulations.
In accordance with section 100 of the natural health products regulations, the importation of natural health products, NHPs, that are in violation of the regulations or the Food and Drugs Act are prohibited. These products cannot be sold or imported in Canada.
According to section A.01.044 of the food and drugs regulations, a natural health product that is in violation may be imported if relabelling or modifying of the natural health product would be in conformity with the regulations or the Food and Drugs Act to allow for lawful sale in Canada. Importers using this provision must: a) notify the Health Products Food Branch Inspectorate, HPFBI, of the proposed importation; and b) relabel or modify the natural health product as necessary for lawful sale in Canada within three months after the importation or period of time specified by Health Canada.
Also, according to Health Canada’s importation of human use drugs for personal use enforcement directive, individuals may seek drugs for personal use up to three months.
The Natural Health Products Directorate has consulted with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, DFAIT, and the World Trade Organization, WTO, on technical barriers to trade with NAFTA. In addressing foreign trade issues, domestic and imported NHPs are treated equally to ensure a level playing field under the regulations with respect to product license, site license and good manufacturing practices, GMPs, requirements.
Provisions in international agreements on importation of unauthorized products are consistent with the respective requirements under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT, and NAFTA.