House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Decriminalization Of Marijuana March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the issue is under consideration by my department and by the Department of Justice. Along with my colleague, we are reviewing all the aspects of the issue, particularly the use of marijuana for medical purposes. We hope to present our policy in the coming months.
Health March 10th, 1998
Not at all, Mr. Speaker. It is not a matter of infringing upon a provincial jurisdiction. The federal government has an important role to play and we intend to play that role and honour it.
Health March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I identified what the priority was for the federal government, that is, to strengthen the health system in Canada, especially in the area of home care.
I said yesterday that, in the months to come, I intend to work with my partners at the provincial level, my provincial counterparts, to find a way to meet the challenge of home care and remedy obvious flaws in the current system in Canada. That is what the priority is for the Government of Canada.
Health March 10th, 1998
It is also very important to point out, as I did yesterday, that the crises are, in most cases, the result of home care needs. Yesterday, in Halifax, during a pan-Canadian conference, we put forward a co-ordinated agreement to tackle home care and improve the health system.
Health March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as I have just said, we increased transfer payments to the provinces in this year's budget.
Health March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will have seen in the budget two weeks ago the importance of health care. The first thing this government did when fiscal circumstances improved was to cancel the intended reduction in transfers to the provinces. This resulted in $1.5 billion more in transfer payments this year. We have also given $60 million for a new blood system and investment in medical research.
It is clear that the priority for us is health which is reflected in the budget this year as it will be in the future.
Health March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, had the hon. member attended the conference she would have seen, as I did, that 400 knowledgeable people from across the country who know the subject agreed that the important thing to do is to plan wisely and invest carefully if we are going to solve the problem.
The hon. member's leader attended yesterday only long enough to go to the microphone and play politics instead of trying to be part of the solution.
Health March 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this is so typical of the New Democratic Party. According to that party, we should spend first and find out why afterward.
What we prefer to do is identify priorities, make a plan, develop a partnership with the provinces and then invest wisely to get the job done. That is exactly what we are going to do. Yesterday we set out the priorities and now we are going to create the plan and develop the partnerships. We will then solve the problem.
Questions On The Order Paper March 10th, 1998
Section 27 of the Tobacco Act prohibits the furnishing or promotion of a tobacco product if any of its brand elements is displayed on a non-tobacco product that is youth or lifestyle oriented.
Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. has been advised by Health Canada that the link between Alfred Dunhill non-tobacco products and Dunhill cigarettes is under review. The department has also informed the company that it may continue to distribute Dunhill tobacco products during this review. This approach follows the tobacco compliance policy which is consistent with compliance policies for other acts that are the responsibility of the Minister of Health.
Questions On The Order Paper March 9th, 1998
With respect to the Participaction program, Health Canada has provided Participaction with funds for advertising and other promotional activities related to physical activity:
1993-94—$477,000 1994-95—$420,000 1995-96—$425,000 1996-97—$275,000 1997-98 (to date)—$275,000