House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the member can immerse himself in details from this statement or that, but it is clear that the provincial authorities changed their position over recent days. That is the very reason we said we want to meet with them and forge a new consensus because our focus is on the best interests of the victims.
Tobacco Sponsorship May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows full well, we are always reasonable and honest. We are committed to amending the tobacco legislation and we will do so when we are ready.
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, one of the great differences between this side of the House and that is that people on this side put their faith in the good judgment of the Canadian people.
The Canadian people know when they listen to the member talk about people's lives being on the line where that comes from. They know that last summer when we began speaking about compensating victims, last fall when we were working on it persuading provinces, these members were nowhere to be seen. They were not heard from at all.
It is this government that has acted on behalf of victims.
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member may have heard me say the other day that in view of the position now taken by Ontario, indeed Quebec, those are significant developments and we are prepared to sit with provincial ministers.
I can assure the hon. member and his leader that by the time we sit with colleagues next week to see if a new consensus can be developed we will indeed have a position to bring to the table.
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has just made reference to a humanitarian settlement.
I can tell the hon. member that I myself suggested the federal government be the only one to make a financial payment, while the provinces, Quebec included, would provide all medical services to the people including pharmacare. All of them refused, Quebec included. That was Quebec's position. It was not a humanitarian one.
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as we have already said, we are always glad to meet with the provincial health ministers. In fact, preparations for such a meeting are under way and I will be in attendance.
Last summer, premiers Harris and Bouchard refused to compensate victims. They downright refused. Only the federal government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, started up the process. The victims will be getting compensation because of this government.
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we have already said the developments of this week are significant. We have already said we will make ourselves available for a meeting. In fact the date and location of that meeting are almost finalized. We are going there to speak with provinces whose positions have changed and may change between now and then.
I think the hon. member should realize that the way we run the country is by consensus. We are listening to what is being said. We will also approach that meeting trying to find a new consensus. As the Prime Minister says, you do not make public policy in scrums or on the fly; you do it by sitting with the parties.
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the member should be very careful before styling himself as the voice of victims.
There are 22,000 victims who were infected during a period when something should have been done and have the government and the Prime Minister to thank for the fact that they are to be compensated.
Hepatitis C May 6th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, on July 22, last year, at about 2.00 p.m. I met my counterparts, including the Quebec minister of health. I raised the question of compensation for hepatitis C victims, and the minister refused to take part.
He maintained this position for months. Finally, following the leadership of the Prime Minister and the federal government, he agreed to take part and now, today, he has changed his position again. And that is the truth.
Hepatitis C May 6th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the member should know that as recently as this morning I spoke to ministers of health who are urging me not to take the very course advanced by the member. Let us work toward consensus. Let us talk to ministers and have governments work together constructively.
On the role of the health protection branch, I urge the member not to draw conclusions from what she reads in the newspapers. There is a public discussion going on about the role of the department which must be carefully considered by this government before a decision is made.