House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Health October 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. member that, a few months ago, in the budget for this year, we increased transfers to the provinces by $11.5 billion, and the provinces promised that the additional funds would be used for health.
It is now up to provincial health ministers to use this money and to reorganize health care services to ensure that the services are available to the public.
Health October 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the member can always be relied upon to get his facts wrong, always. It is no surprise that he would ask the question he has just put.
The committee did not recommend a national organ donor registry; the committee recommended a national effort by all governments working together to increase the rate of organ donation in this country by taking specific concrete steps.
We have accepted those recommendations. We are working to achieve them. The provinces have agreed that it will happen. By November we will have a working plan to make sure it does.
Once again the Reform Party is completely out to lunch.
Health October 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I read with some disappointment the comments by the Reform Party health critic.
What we announced last Friday is very important for a number of reasons. First of all, it was the first time that all governments of the country agreed to work together to make increasing the organ donation rate a national priority. Second, we formed a national council to help make that happen. The provinces very importantly have agreed to invest the kind of money needed to do what is really important which is to put teams in hospitals to counsel those who are the relatives of the dying to encourage the donation of organs. That is going to make a real difference.
Hepatitis C October 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has already earmarked more than $1.3 billion for people infected by hepatitis C. The Government of Quebec has already accepted our proposal to share $300 million just for those infected outside the 1986-1990 period.
To me and to the government, this is a fair and appropriate approach.
Bill C-80 October 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the scientists are of course right to express concerns they honestly feel.
I am responding to them as I am responding to the hon. member by saying we are both on the same side of this issue, which is the side of consumer safety and safety of food. So long as I am minister the scientists at Health Canada will have the resources and the mandate required to ensure that safety.
Bill C-80 October 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, let me respond to that part of the question dealing with the food safety employees of Health Canada.
I did indeed receive a letter from them last week. I asked the deputy to meet with them and deal with it, but I want to reassure the member that we take very seriously our responsibility to ensure food safety for Canadians. Since I have been minister we have done a number of things to try to ensure it.
One of the first things I did when I got there was to cancel the proposed cuts to the food directorate. We have $65 million from the most recent budget to improve food safety. We are continuing with the recommendations of the science advisory board—
Health June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I assure the House and all Canadians that Health Canada and all of those involved in the blood system are doing everything possible to ensure a safe supply.
One thing that is not helpful is for people, like this member and his colleague yesterday, to stand here and try to fearmonger for political purposes about the blood system in the country. This is nothing less than shameful.
Health June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, when people give blood they are asked questions to identify and eliminate risk. In the case the member refers to, someone was asked the right questions. The appropriate and safe procedure was followed. Apparently the man was dishonest in responding. As a result, the regulatory agencies have acted. They have traced the blood. They have tested it and it has tested negative. The regulatory agencies are doing everything they can to respond in an appropriate way.
Health June 10th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, when Sandrine Craig died last month, the community shared the family's grief. It was a tragic loss. One can only imagine the pain of her parents and her siblings.
The family has decided to make something positive come of this tragedy. They have decided to draw public attention to the need for organ donations. They have launched this campaign to encourage Canadians everywhere to think of others when it comes to organ donations.
The health committee has made recommendations to the government which we are considering. We will soon announce an approach but above all, awareness is an important part.
The family in their courage has shown that Sandrine Craig did not die in vain.
Blood System June 10th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that Héma-Québec provided a form to a potential donor. The donor was asked questions and, according to news reports, answered dishonestly, with the result that blood was taken onboard and then put into the system. The form was prepared and distributed in accordance with the way we do things in this country. We ask people who are giving blood to tell the facts and we act on that. That is good practice. If someone lies, there is not much we can do.
Héma-Québec is tracing the blood, trying to get it out of circulation. It is taking every reasonable step to make sure that no one is harmed by this event.