Mr. Speaker, we are working on them and we are getting there. We will act when we are ready.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Sponsorship Of Sports And Cultural Events February 18th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we are working on them and we are getting there. We will act when we are ready.
Health February 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is quite right to say the Hepatitis C Society has made some constructive suggestions in this regard.
Since the receipt of the Krever report and the careful analysis of the history and the recommendations for the future, we have worked with the Hepatitis C Society and other interested groups to prepare ourselves for this meeting tomorrow. I very much hope that by the end of the day tomorrow we are going to be able to announce that the provinces and the federal government can approach this difficult problem with a common answer.
Health February 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I will be joining my provincial counterparts this evening and all day tomorrow to discuss the very matter. I assure the hon. member and my colleagues on all sides of the House that we will be making our very best efforts with the provinces to find some way of dealing with the matter.
From the perspective of the victims of the tainted blood tragedy it is important that we have a co-ordinated response. We, along with our provincial counterparts, will be doing our very best to achieve that.
Drug Licensing February 13th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, since the tabling of the report mentioned by the hon. member this morning, we at the health department have made changes to the system to give some people access to the drugs they need. We plan to keep improving this system in the interest of the sick.
Drug Licensing February 13th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health has the responsibility to ensure that drugs are safe before they are put on the market for use by those who are sick. It is the responsibility of the Government of Canada and we intend to fulfil this responsibility.
At the same time, we are also fully aware of the fact that there are urgent needs to be met. At Health Canada we have procedures in place—
Health February 13th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I will have an opportunity to discuss this with my provincial counterparts next week. We are examining the entire issue. We intend to look closely at Judge Krever's recommendations, including those concerning which victims should be compensated. I am now working with my counterparts and their officials to find a solution to this major and difficult problem.
Health February 13th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, since we received the Krever report last fall we have made it clear that we are interested in finding some way forward to treat humanely and fairly those who were the innocent victims of tragic mistakes in the blood system. In that regard I think the interests of victims are best served by levels of government working together.
In response to the question put by the hon. member, I commit myself today to continue to work with my provincial counterparts. I am meeting with them Monday and Tuesday of next week to try to find a way in which we can all contribute to the appropriate outcome in these tragic cases.
Health Care February 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we are working toward that very objective daily. Next week I will meet again with my counterparts in the provinces and territories.
One thing I can tell my hon. friend for certain is that we will not pursue that quality the way he and his party suggested by removing cash transfers to the provinces and by removing altogether any influence on the part of the federal government. That is not the way to go. We shall do it the Liberal way. We shall do it the effective way.
Health Care February 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as I have made clear, this government shares the concerns of Canadians that we restore and maintain the quality of health care in this country. It is to that end that we are committed.
The hon. member should remember that some of the emergency rooms that are overcrowded and some of the places which require reinvestment are in provinces that already have surpluses, that have money to reinvest. If some provinces choose to cut taxes instead of making those reinvestments, that should be taken into account.
For our part, we have increased the cash floor for the provinces and that signals our priority.
Health Care February 10th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we acknowledge and we share the concerns of Canadians that we have quality health care when it is needed and where it is needed in this country. That is why this government supports the principles of the Canada Health Act. That is why this government just this year increased the cash floor in the transfers to the provinces to enable the provinces to reinvest in health services where they are needed most.
That reflects the priorities which this government puts on health care in this country.