Allan Rock

[Tobacco Act, October 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the member is terribly wrong. He said that this government has done nothing, yet when the Supreme Court of Canada invalidated the old Tobacco Act, struck it down, said it was invalid, the former Minister of Health, the one who preceded me, introduced the Tobacco Act.

I have already said to the House that it is considered a model internationally. It is tough, it is smart and it is effective, and it is going to help enormously in keeping cigarettes out of the hands of kids. In addition, the Tobacco Act that was passed in this place in April 1997 permitted tobacco companies to continue sponsoring events and putting their names in front of the public. It would have allowed them to do that forever, although only on the bottom 10% of signs.

The member suggested that the bill now before the House weakens that act. It does anything but. It strengthens the act by introducing the notion that in five years tobacco companies will have to stop altogether sponsoring and promoting events. The member has it wrong. We are doing the right thing. He should support this legislation.

[Tobacco Act, October 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I will respond to that. The member speaks as though the bill is the only step we are taking in relation to tobacco.

The bill represents a few sections in a statute which is elaborate, comprehensive and powerful. It empowers the government to regulate tobacco as a product. It makes it an offence to sell tobacco to kids under age 18. It puts the tightest restrictions on advertising as well as dealing with sponsorship.

The member ought not to pretend that Bill C-42 is the only step we are taking against tobacco. It is a small part of a large strategy. I remind the member that the government will also be spending $100 million and enormous energy over the next five years to persuade young children not to smoke.

I have a 13 year old daughter and two 11 year old sons and I am as concerned as anyone that they not become addicted to tobacco. I will take every step I can to ensure that they do not. I want the help of governments across the country in achieving that objective.

I do not want the member to pretend that this is all, because it is only part of a very large strategy.

[Tobacco Act, October 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, to respond to the hon. member for Souris—Moose Mountain, it is clear that his emotional involvement in this issue has clouded his usual judgment and has led him to speak excessively, inappropriately and inaccurately.

I will put aside the inappropriate and excessive remarks, some of which were clearly out of order. But let me deal with the inaccuracies because it is important that the record be set straight.

The bill before the House strengthens the Tobacco Act which already is the toughest in the western world. When I was in Geneva last June at the World Health Organization a number of countries asked me for a copy of our legislation. They want to copy it. This is the most intelligent and effective anti-tobacco legislation in the western world.

Bill C-71, which as passed by this House a year and a half ago, provided for promotion by tobacco companies forever, although it was limited. This bill goes further. It prohibits sponsorship and promotion by tobacco companies altogether within five years.

The Canadian Medical Association said “We are pleased that health minister Rock has recognized the need for a full ban”.

The Cancer Society, through its spokesperson Rob Cunningham, said “A total ban on sponsorships is an important improvement to the act, one that we strongly support”.

Garfield Mahood of the Non-Smokers' Rights Association said “We are pleased the government has finally recognized the need for a complete sponsorship ban”.

The Calgary Herald wrote “The new legislation is workable and defensible”. I could go on.

The public, the spokespersons, the informed members of the public in this country support the government. The step we have taken will end sponsorship by tobacco companies within five years and that is very much in the interests of the health of Canadians.

[Health, October 6th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, first things first, rBST has not been approved for sale in Canada. Health Canada will not approve rBST for sale in this country unless and until Health Canada is satisfied that it is safe for humans, that it is safe for use in animals and that it is appropriate as a product for sale in this country.

Some suggest in error that Health Canada has been the subject of some pressure to approve BST quickly. I can tell them as I tell the House that BST has been under review at Health Canada for nine years. If someone is exerting pressure, they are not very effective in that fashion. We will not approve it unless it is safe.

[Hepatitis C, October 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, while this member and the Ontario minister of health pontificate politically about payment, people in Ontario cannot get Interferon which they need to treat their hepatitis C.

Not long ago two women from Windsor appeared before the Ontario legislature begging for access to Interferon. They have to wait weeks for the Ontario minister of health to give permission that it be furnished and then they have to pay up to $10,000 to get the drug.

I say that is wrong. That is why we on this side of the House want treatment. We want care, not cash. He is wrong and he knows it.

[Hepatitis C, October 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious listening to this member that we take very different approaches. This member is someone who looks at the sick and thinks they should get cash. We look at those who are sick and think they should get care.

The hon. member insists on payment and we insist on treatment. When will this member understand that those who have hepatitis C do not want him to write them a cheque, they want to be written a prescription? Let me give an example.

In Ontario we cannot get Interferon, the only drug that is of any use, without paying $10,000, depending on your financial circumstances, and getting permission from the Minister of Health. We say that should—

[Anti-Smoking Programs, September 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the government has already committed that in the coming years in the course of this mandate we will be devoting tens of millions of dollars to efforts to not only enforce the Tobacco Act, which makes it an offence to sell tobacco to children, but to persuade young people not to start smoking. That is going to be the focus of our efforts.

This is going to involve money. It is going to involve effort. It is going to involve the effort of every member of the government on the single most important public health issue facing Canadians today.

[Pharmaceuticals, September 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I was happy to see that the auditor general himself observed that the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, has been, as he put it, a constraining influence on the price of patented medicines in Canada. That is a good thing.

As to recommendations for change, the member may know that the board itself is in the middle of public discussions and consultations about changes in its mandate and the way it does business.

We will be happy to look at the auditor general's observations as part of that. I will make sure that the board and its chair take them carefully into account.

[Aboriginal Affairs, September 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the letter that was sent to the health official was copied to the Reform Party's critic, the member for Skeena. It was also copied to the provincial minister. It was about a leaking sewage pipe. There was nothing on its face to demonstrate confidentiality.

The Health Canada official acted in good faith to get the problem fixed. I have already said that he has expressed regret and we have circulated the protocol.

In the meantime, the problem has been fixed. What we are left with is the Reform Party messing around with this issue.

[Aboriginal Affairs, September 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, a letter of August 24 was received by a Health Canada official from Leona Freed complaining about a broken sewer pipe that was apparently draining into a creek. She was worried about it being a health threat and she demanded immediate action.

The Health Canada official, anxious to solve this problem, forwarded a copy of this letter to the tribal council which is responsible for fixing it, and then set to work on getting the problem fixed.

Sending on that letter was not in keeping with protocol. That official has written to Leona Freed to express regret. We have re-circulated the protocol to remind all officials—