Mr. Speaker, the member might know that the RCMP is investigating the events of 1984, 1985 and 1986. That whole period is in question. I am certain that when the RCMP has completed its investigation, it will respond appropriately.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Health March 9th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the member might know that the RCMP is investigating the events of 1984, 1985 and 1986. That whole period is in question. I am certain that when the RCMP has completed its investigation, it will respond appropriately.
Reproductive Technologies March 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as the member indicated, we established this voluntary moratorium a few years ago.
In the last parliament, we introduced Bill C-47. At the end of that parliament, we had begun consultations to determine the best way to proceed. We will act when we are ready.
Health March 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, what I said is I have asked officials to develop a plan that would include access to clinical trials so we can look at evidence. Surely the hon. member's mind is not so closed that he is not prepared to consider evidence from research into the question.
There are people who are dying. They want access to something they believe will help with their symptoms. We want to help. Clinical trials would allow us to get research to know more about how we can help.
Health March 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the member for London West has done a great deal to advance this issue. This government is aware there are Canadians suffering, who have terminal illnesses, who believe that using medical marijuana can help ease their symptoms. We want to help.
As a result, I have asked my officials to develop a plan that will include clinical trials for medical marijuana, appropriate guidelines for its medical use and access to a safe supply of this drug.
Health March 2nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the budget of two weeks ago did more than simply commit $11.5 billion to health care to help turn around the situation and restore the confidence of Canadians. We also recognize the importance of preventing illness and health promotion. For that reason the budget committed $75 million over the next three years to increase the scope of our program for prenatal nutrition for pregnant women and the health of their babies.
There are about 20,000 women now who are served by this program and that will go to 35,000 women throughout the country because of this increase.
This government believes strongly in preventing illness.
The Budget March 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the suggestion that such events might be occurring with blood banks was first raised some 15 years ago. At that time there were various studies and they all indicated that there was no health risk. Since then additional studies have confirmed the same findings.
Last week Greenpeace claimed to have other information and last week I directed my officials to meet with the Greenpeace representatives and to take information from them.
We will look at it, obviously with great care. I assure the member that if there is any evidence to indicate that safety is an issue we will act appropriately.
Health Care February 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we will have to wait for next Tuesday's budget.
Health Care February 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, what is important is for governments to work together. That is why the Prime Minister has led us into the social union framework agreement to allow us to work together for common social objectives.
We are going in one direction to strengthen health care and the Reform Party is going in the opposite direction. Reformers said a few weeks ago in Victoria that if it were up to them they would take the surplus, divide it in two and put one half toward reducing the debt and the other half to tax cuts, leaving nothing for health care. Canadians will see what we do on Tuesday with health care. We are going to put our money where our mouth is.
Health Care February 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as I have said already, the important thing is for governments to work together to make sure Canadians have access to high quality health care. That is as true in British Columbia as it is with the rest of the country.
This is the Reform Party, the party that would repeal the Canada Health Act and do away with publicly funded accessible health care and leave it to people's bank accounts to determine what kind of care they receive. We will never choose that course. We will never adopt the American style approach and I urge the hon. member to reconsider his position.
Health Care February 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it is an odd sort of complaint to come from a party that would gut the Canada Health Act, sweep away what it took generations of Liberal governments to build, public health care in this country.
It is an empty and a hollow complaint from such a group who favours the American approach to health care.
They may spend the coming days trying to unite the right. We are going to spend the days uniting Canadians' fine health care which we will strengthen for the future of this country.