Allan Rock

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday there were a number of views expressed around the table. There was also a clear awareness first of all that governments should try to find a way acting together to accommodate the interests of those who got hep C through the blood system.

Second, there was no consensus yesterday and there cannot be one until the options are fully understood, their implications investigated and we have the facts before ministers. That is what Canadians would want us to do, take a responsible position, not simply act unilaterally, to find a truly lasting solution.

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we have had this exchange before in the House. The government of the day which offered compensation to those infected with HIV acknowledged that there was something that could have been done and should have done during that period but was not done. It accepted responsibility for that.

I want the member to recall that all governments will be participating in the working group which over the next several weeks will look for ways we can act together to accommodate the interest of all those who contracted HCV through the blood system.

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the member should know that Jeremy Beaty of the Hepatitis C Society has said that he and his group are prepared to work with the working group examining the options. So have other representatives of affected groups.

The options that the working group will examine are options that will enable governments to act together to deal with the interest of all those who got hepatitis C through the blood system. That is the purpose. Those options are constructive and they will all be examined.

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, if it were not for the government a year ago putting this item on the agenda and if it were not for the government persuading provincial governments to take the issue seriously, there would be no discussion of hepatitis C compensation and no offer to the 22,000 victims between 1986 and 1990.

Coming to the member's question I can report from yesterday's meeting another development. The governments of the country deplored the kind of unilateral action taken by Ontario. When the minister from Ontario goes to the microphone to condemn the Government of Canada she is asking—

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I remind the member that it is through the leadership of the Prime Minister and his government that 22,000 people who contracted hepatitis C through the blood system have been offered very reasonable compensation and assistance.

That is the kind of leadership that galvanized the provincial ministers who were initially unwilling to move and that resulted in a very significant change in that regard.

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to finding a way, with other governments in Canada, to assist those who contracted hepatitis C through the blood system. Yesterday we established a working group that will examine all options which will enable us to do that.

I think Canadians know, and certainly those infected with hepatitis C through the blood system know, that unilateral action by one province or another is not the answer. A co-ordinated approach is necessary, and it is that approach to which we are committed.

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell the member what we are doing. We are working with all governments in the country to find a way to deal with the interest of all those who got hepatitis C through the blood system.

Yesterday at the meeting of ministers there was strong agreement that it is not in the interest of the people who got hepatitis C for governments to act unilaterally. The way to deal with the matter is to look at what care is needed, efforts to find cures and treatments, and efforts to deal with the needs of those who are sick or have other compelling circumstances. Doing that together is the answer. Yesterday was an important milestone on the road—

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we all understand why it is in the interest of the member to speak that way. It is part of the political process for him, I suppose.

Those of us who were at the meeting know there is a continuing interest on the part of provincial governments to find a co-ordinated response to this national tragedy and to find a way to deal with the matter that is in the interest of all those who got hepatitis C through the blood system.

The member and his colleagues can prattle on about what they think happened yesterday, but I am here to tell them what happened yesterday. What happened yesterday was the first step toward another co-ordinated approach to find a national—

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that all those who have contracted hepatitis C need a united and co-ordinated approach by all governments in Canada. This is the process we are committed to.>

Yesterday we began, with a working group, to look at all available options and, in the coming weeks, we will clarify the government's positions in order to find a consensus. This is the responsible approach.

[Hepatitis C, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it is remarkable how knowledgeable all these members opposite are about a meeting which they did not attend.

The members opposite should know that the Government of Canada has a responsibility to co-ordinate the efforts of all the provincial governments which will act together to find a solution that is co-ordinated in the interest of all those who have hepatitis C as a result of the blood system.

They can say what they want about the meeting they did not attend. We are going to work away to find a solution that is in the interest of those who are affected.