Allan Rock

[Blood System, June 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it is up to the police to decide whether or not to lay charges.

As far as I am concerned, the action as reported in the newspapers was clearly irresponsible and unacceptable. According to the newspapers, the individual lied on the Héma-Québec forms. He answered no when he should have answered yes.

Apparently, Héma-Québec has taken action to ensure that the blood is not used, and Health Canada will help them in this regard.

[Health, June 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, why does this somehow seem such a happier, such a saner place?

I am happy to tell the House this afternoon that a little later today I will table the government's research plan for the medical use of marijuana.

I am also happy to say that I will be exercising my power under section 56 of the relevant statute to permit exemptions to two very sick people to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Let us remember what this is about. This is about showing compassion to people, often dying, suffering from grave and debilitating illness. I want to thank the member and all the members here for pushing this issue so that we behave properly on behalf of those who are sick and dying.

[National Rural Health Strategy, June 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this morning I received from the hon. member, in his capacity as chair of the rural Liberal caucus, this remarkable report which contains a variety of excellent recommendations. I intend to act on most of those recommendations shortly.

To begin with, I should say that we have already taken important steps such as appointing the executive director of rural health, Dr. John Wooton, who is in the gallery today and who is doing a fine job preparing our policy.

We have also set aside money in the budget for rural health initiatives. Throughout the coming months we will be consulting directly with Canadians on their priorities. We intend to make sure that we have one tier of health care in this country.

[Reproductive Technologies, June 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already told the House, I intend to table legislation later this year which will deal with the whole question of reproductive technologies.

In fact I have met with Dr. Baird and with a variety of other people who are knowledgeable in the area. I am consulting with them and with many others in preparing the legislation. I assure the member and the House that the legislation, when tabled, will deal with all of these areas.

[First Nations Land Management Act, June 4th, 1999]

moved the second reading of, and concurrence in, amendments made by the Senate to Bill C-49, an act providing for the ratification and the bringing into effect of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.

[Carriage By Air Act, June 4th, 1999]

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

[Carriage By Air Act, June 4th, 1999]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[Ways And Means, June 4th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I wish to table a notice of ways and means motion to amend the Excise Tax Act, a related act, the Cultural Property Export and Import Act, the Customs Act, the Income Tax Act and the Tax Court of Canada Act.

I am also tabling explanatory notes and a background document and I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.

[Health Canada, June 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, all of us admire the initiative the member for Ottawa Centre took in putting a motion before the House on this subject. It is a motion that I am very proud to support.

Health Canada has been active for some time supporting members of the scientific community to try to find out the causes of these very difficult and often disabling diseases and working with sufferers and others to look for ways of treating them.

Recently, the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control at Health Canada has been working on issues of research to find out how we can learn more about causes, treatments and hopefully cures. Working in concert with those most affected by providing funding where necessary, Health Canada is committed to advancing the frontier—

[Bill C-32, June 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I was not at the hearing, but I am sure a close examination of the transcript will show that the officials who testified are committed to enforcing the laws that parliament passes, enforcing standards of safety in pesticides and dealing with environmental issues consistent with our objective, which is to maintain a safe environment for all Canadians.