House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Drug Licensing March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health has the responsibility to ensure that drugs submitted for assessment are safe before we approve them.
Last week in Vancouver I met several persons concerned by this issue. I made the commitment to review once again the process in place within the department to ensure that we are effectively fulfilling our responsibilities.
Health March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is so distracted by his own tiresome rhetoric that he is not listening to the answer.
The answer is that this government, with one voice, is trying to find a way in collaboration with provincial governments to compensate victims. That will remain our priority. I am very hopeful that in the near future we will be able to announce progress.
Health March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, if we want to look at the history, the fact is no effort was made to come to grips with the hepatitis C victims. It is that about which I was being asked by the hon. member for Saint John.
I hope we can put the hon. member's political thrust aside and deal with the interest of the victims because that is where our interest lies.
Over the past several months I have been working with my provincial counterparts to find a way to compensate the victims of the hepatitis C tragedy which is humane and fair and keeps the issue out of the courts. If we can do that I shall be very happy. That is my objective.
Hepatitis C Victims March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, concerning the whole issue of compensation for hepatitis C victims, we are currently working with our provincial partners to find a fair and equitable solution.
Hopefully, we will be able to make an announcement in the coming weeks, in co-operation with the provinces, about compensation for the victims.
Hepatitis C March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as I have told the member and the House, the government intends to act. It is our hope that we can act in concert with the provinces in the interest of the victims.
However, one can search the record and one's memory and not find a trace of any action taken on behalf of these victims by the hon. member's party when it was in power over the period of 1993. It has been left to us to act and we will accept our responsibility.
Hepatitis C March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the government has been saying since before the delivery of the Krever report that a lengthy litigation is not in the interest of anyone. We have been anxious to find a way to resolve these tragic errors of the past in a humane and fair way. We remain committed to just that process.
I should tell the hon. member that in my judgment it is in the best interest of the victims and the federal and provincial governments to take a co-ordinated approach in this regard. I have been working toward that result. I hope that within a very short while I will be able to announce with my provincial partners a resolution that will meet the—
Home Care March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the process of collaboration, of forming partnerships with provincial governments and others, has already begun. We have already begun to identify specific concrete steps that can be taken to move on the principles I have described.
The answer is not as the NDP would have us do, simply to throw dollars at the issue. The answer surely is to come to understand where the effort is needed most and to work with partners to prepare the proper response. That is exactly what the government is committed to do.
Home Care March 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the government has said that it will work with provincial partners toward the creation of a national approach to home and community care to fill the gaps that are now evident in the health care system, to meet unmet needs and to ensure Canadians wherever they may live in the country can rely on a standard of care at any point in their lives which is equivalent to the principles we hold dear.
Four hundred Canadians from across the country met in Halifax this week. The meeting just ended yesterday. From that meeting it became clear that in the months ahead we must work to prepare this plan so that we get it right.
Health Care March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, in my judgment, and I hope the hon. member would agree, the interests of the victims themselves are best served by some form of out of court resolution or compensation which involves both levels of government. That is exactly what we have been working on.
In recent weeks I have been engaged in discussions with my provincial counterparts. We are making progress. I believe we are going in the right direction. I am very hopeful that before too long we will have a co-ordinated announcement to make in relation to compensation.
Health Care March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I made it plain yesterday that when we have consensus among the governments which must act in partnership, when we have a clear plan as to how to achieve this priority, the Government of Canada will be there to fulfil its responsibility to make its contribution of an appropriate amount.
We cannot now spend before we know what we are spending on. It is one thing to say there is a problem. It is quite another to take the time and trouble to develop the right solution. That is exactly what we are going to do.