Allan Rock

[Tainted Blood, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we have already offered Quebec its share of this funding to ensure the availability of medical services for those infected with hepatitis C.

I have already sent documentation concerning this proposal to my colleague, the Quebec Minister of Health, Mrs. Marois. I await her response.

[Health, April 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I know the member will recall that it is this minister and this government that referred this issue to the committee for examination. It is this government that asked the committee to listen to witnesses, to find out why Canada is so far behind other countries in the rate of organ donation.

We must do better. The greatest responsibility we have to that child waiting in that hospital for an organ transplant is to make sure we get the right solution, a durable solution that will provide opportunities not only for that child but for generations to come.

That is our commitment. This government will consider the report that the member and others worked so hard on. We will look at all the recommendations. We will bring forward the best, most effective—

[Health, April 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the question provides me with an opportunity to express thanks to the members of the committee who worked so hard on this issue. They delivered a report today with constructive recommendations. I also thank Canadians, members of families who have been touched by this issue, who had the courage to come before the committee, sometimes with difficulty, to tell their stories.

I can assure the House that I will consider with great care the recommendations made today. I will be responding to the report later this year.

[Health, April 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the largest single investment the government has ever made, the $11.5 billion in increased transfers to the provinces so that they could meet their responsibility for delivering health care services, we also announced in the budget $1.4 billion of spending by the federal government in health research, establishing the Canadian Institute of Health Research and virtually doubling the investment in health research over the next three years; an intervention to promote health and prevent disease, especially early intervention with children; and initiatives in aboriginal health like home care on reserves.

These are signals and signs of a government deeply committed to our health care system, to its quality and to its future.

[Health, April 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the government is very proud that the first thing we did after digging the country out of the deep hole in which we were put by the Progressive Conservative Party during nine ruinous years in office, was to reinvest in our most important social program, our health care system.

Just weeks ago, $11.5 billion was added to transfers to the provinces so that over the next five years health services could be improved, integrated and made as accessible as they must be.

Part of that initiative was in favour of nurses. We created the nurse fund, which through research and other measures will help put nurses in the important place they must occupy in our health care system.

[Health, April 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to natural health products, homeopathic remedies and traditional Chinese medicines, what Canadians want is access and freedom of choice. At the same time they want to know that those products are safe, are of high quality, and are advertised and labelled with truthfulness.

That is why I am so grateful to the committee on health and its 53 recommendations. The government has accepted all of them because we believe that they provide the path to achieve those very goals.

We will appoint an executive director of natural health products. That person will understand natural health products and homeopathic—

[Year 2000, April 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should bear in mind that hospitals are responsible for their own administration and provinces are responsible for the hospitals.

A few months ago we increased transfers to the provinces for health by $11.5 billion. The provinces undertook to use all that money for health. I suggest it is now up to the provinces to ensure that the hospitals see to their responsibility to become Y2K compliant. It must be done.

[Health Care, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the problems of physician and nurse supply in northwestern Ontario have had my full attention for the last 18 months. In the course of that period we have negotiated a new contract with McMaster University medical school for the supply of physicians. Recruitment activities are well under way.

As I said in a letter I sent yesterday to those who are fasting in Sioux Lookout, I want them to join the task force that I have already put together to work toward solutions to these problems on the ground.

I have been working with the hon. member who represents the riding, the hon. member for Kenora—Rainy River. He has made a very constructive contribution to these issues. I am going there next week to visit for myself the areas most affected—

[Year 2000, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Health Canada has consistently and continuously respected its responsibility in relation to the approval of medical devices and equipment and making sure its own systems are Y2K compliant. We are 93% of the way there.

With respect to hospitals throughout the country, we have encouraged the provinces to look after their responsibilities. I hope they do. I remind the member that in the recent budget we provided $11.5 billion to help the provinces do just that.

[Year 2000, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the first thing we have to do is explain to the hon. member the constitutional responsibilities here. The provinces are responsible for the hospitals. If the provinces are not doing the job with the money that we just gave them to make sure that their own facilities are Y2K compliant, then the member ought to take it up with the provinces.

As far as Health Canada is concerned, the second thing the member has to understand is that his so-called survey is unscientific and unreliable. I can tell the member what the facts are. Health Canada is 93% compliant with its Y2K responsibilities.