Allan Rock

[Hepatitis C, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on this, as on so many other matters, we disagree profoundly with the Leader of the Opposition.

Last summer, last fall, last winter, even into this year the provincial governments, especially Ontario and Quebec, took the position that they did not want to compensate anybody. It is as a result of the leadership of the Prime Minister and this government that we have the agreement we produced. After that agreement was reached, some provinces changed their positions. It is for that reason that I say let us hear them out. Let us find out what the position of the provincial—

[Hepatitis C, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I thought I made it very clear. We said there was an agreement by all governments. As a result of the change in position by Ontario and in part by Quebec and perhaps others we should look again at the question and see whether a new consensus can be reached.

We are going to that meeting to determine what the positions are of the various governments. Once that is known it will be clear whether governments can act again in a concerted fashion to deal with this issue. It is in the best interests of all that governments act together and not unilaterally. Let us see what happens on Thursday and what the position of the provinces is.

[Hepatitis C, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the provinces have expressed various positions. Some want to hold with the agreement that all governments entered into in March. Some want to reopen that agreement.

It is important for us to determine where the provincial governments are in this matter. We are having this meeting because of changes they made in their positions. It is important for us to know what position the provincial governments are taking.

On the basis of that, I will see on Thursday whether it is possible to develop a new consensus. It may not be possible based on what we are hearing. We will determine whether a new consensus can be forged on Thursday.

[Health, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I will certainly take account of what the member says. I will look into it and respond to her.

As a general matter, we have now agreed with the provinces to the creation of a new blood system which will open its doors later this year with a form of governance that mirrors the Krever recommendations and a form of regulation from the federal government that reflects the Krever recommendations. At least when we start the new blood agency it will be on a new foot and hopefully toward a new and safer age.

[Hepatitis C, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has already committed $800 million for 1986 through 1990. Now we are waiting for the position of all our partners to be determined.

As the hon. member is already aware, the provinces have expressed a variety of positions, so we shall see next Thursday whether a new consensus will be possible.

[Hepatitis C, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, first we must find out the positions of the provinces, our partners in the health care system.

I trust that Minister Rochon of Quebec will be in attendance, for I am particularly interested in the Quebec position .

[Hepatitis C, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I can speak for myself and indeed for the government in saying that we have made no offer. We have said nothing about anybody being silent. I have had no communication with the Hepatitis C Society during the weekend.

The hon. member's information is wrong. We are looking forward to meeting with the ministers on Thursday. Frankly I hope from that meeting we will have a better understanding of where the provinces stand and will also determine whether a new consensus can be arrived at.

[Hepatitis C, May 11th, 1998]

Yes, Mr. Speaker, that is not good information. As I have said, our interest is now in meeting with ministers on Thursday. They will be coming to Ottawa for that purpose. We will be sitting at the table to hear where the provinces stand on these issues and to explore whether a new consensus can be reached.

The information conveyed by the hon. Leader of the Opposition is incorrect.

[Hepatitis C, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have to tell the hon. Leader of the Opposition that his information is wrong. There is no offer. There is no agreement. There are no strings.

There is only a federal government which had a consensus among all governments in the country, which has seen some provinces change their position, and which has now agreed to a meeting of all ministers so that we can take stock, find out where the provinces stand and determine whether there can be a new consensus forged to deal with this in the appropriate way.

[Hepatitis C, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, no such offer has been made. We are awaiting the meeting on Thursday when ministers will be together in the same room at the same table.

As the hon. Leader of the Opposition knows, the very purpose of that meeting is to find out where the provinces are since there is some disagreement among them and to determine whether a new consensus has been forged.