Allan Rock

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in fact the Government of Canada has committed $1.3 billion to those who are infected with hepatitis C: $800 million to settle the class action lawsuits from the period 1986 to 1990; $300 million to ensure that those infected with hepatitis C have access to medical services without paying out of their pocket; $125 million to help Canada's blood regulation to prevent another tragedy; $50 million for research; and $50 million for trace back. The point is to provide for coverage for those who need care.

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, our position is very simple. We want to help victims. To that end, we have offered money. Will Quebec accept our offer, yes or no?

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government's position is very clear. Eight or nine months ago, we offered $300 million in order to share with the provinces the cost of medical services required by those who were infected.

I hope that Quebec will accept this offer. Quebec's health minister, Ms. Marois, has not yet replied to my letter. I therefore have my own question for the hon. member: Will Quebec accept our offer?

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Yes, Mr. Speaker. The point is that if those who are infected with hepatitis C need care they ought not pay out of their own pockets for that care, for the cost of drugs that are not within insurance or for nursing services that they may need as their lives go on.

We have proposed to the provinces a way to pay these expenses so those who are ill need not pay from their own pockets. We believe that is the right approach to this issue.

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, let us put aside the political approach to these victims and let us look at the care that those who are sick really need. Let us focus on the medical care and attention those who are ill will need. That has been our focus.

We have offered the provinces a way to ensure for all the years of their lives that those who were infected with hepatitis C can have access to medical services and care without paying from their pockets. That is the humane approach to this issue.

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this is an example of why our caring approach is far better than the political approach taken in Ontario.

Ontario offers $10,000 per person once in their lifetime. Ten thousand dollars is the approximate cost, if they are not covered by insurance, of one regimen of Interferon which the victims sometimes take for their treatment.

We have offered to provide care for their lifetime, for their whole lifetime. That is the approach Canadians want to see us take.

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, those who will receive payments will receive payments over their lifetime if the court approves the agreement, depending on their level of sickness, which is exactly what they should receive.

The cornerstone of our approach to this tragic and difficult issue has been to respond to the medical needs of those who were infected, to make sure that everybody infected by hepatitis C as a result of the blood system will have access to the medical services and the care they need without making payments from their own pocket.

[Hepatitis C, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the court will shortly have before it for approval an agreement reached by representatives of those with hepatitis C and the governments, all governments, which will provide payments to those persons over many years to come.

In addition, of course, last September I proposed to my provincial colleagues that the Government of Canada share half the costs of medical expenses beyond what are provided by insurance over the lifetime of those with hepatitis C.

The government has responded in a way that is important. We have offered care to those who are ill.

[Human Cloning, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, we imposed a voluntary moratorium on this practice. That moratorium remains in effect.

We must of course do more. I have already begun consulting experts, including the chairperson of the royal commission that dealt with this issue.

It is my intention to table a bill on this issue later this year.

[Tainted Blood, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is, unfortunately, mistaken. This proposal is not affected by the commitment she refers to. The commitment is not pertinent to this program.

What we proposed is merely an approach that will ensure that people infected with hepatitis C can have access to the required medical services now and in the future.

I have proposed a certain approach to Mrs. Marois, and I await her response.