Yvon Charbonneau

[Canada-France Interparliamentary Association, March 20th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to draw your attention to the presence in this chamber of a delegation of French parliamentarians, led by the member for l'Eure, François Loncle, who is also the president of the French section of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association and the president of the foreign affairs committee of the French national assembly.

During its visit, the French parliamentary delegation will be taking part in the Journée internationale de la Francophonie.

In addition, president Loncle will present his views on the theme of European defence to members of the foreign affairs committees of both chambers as well as to members of the Canada-Europe and Canada-France interparliamentary associations.

Finally, the French delegation will attend the annual general meeting of the Canadian section of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association.

I am pleased to note the very high quality of the relations established between French and Canadian parliamentarians over the years and I wish our colleagues and friends a productive visit to Canada.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, these investigations are under way. We are pleased to now have the co-operation of all parties in examining the facts.

When the reports are ready, they will be made public, and we will move to take the necessary action.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, it is for all the reasons given by the opposition critic that more and better structured programs are now available to first nations peoples.

I am talking about early childhood, educational assistance, fetal alcohol syndrome, and water supply programs. These are not just words, they are achievements.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, this question provides us with an opportunity to recall the very firm undertaking by our government to develop health services for first nations peoples, an undertaking which was very recently repeated in the Speech from the Throne.

A number of programs are now being introduced and are being used by these populations. The Government of Canada is investing or spending some $1.2 billion annually for their health.

[Health, March 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the use of Baytril in poultry and cattle has not yet been approved in Canada.

In addition, I must state on behalf of the Minister of Health that drug bureau evaluators have not been pressured in any way to give approval. Data can be interpreted differently by different scientists and there are mechanisms to resolve this.

The public can rest assured that these mechanisms are indeed preserving the safety of the food Canadians eat.

[Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, March 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, over the past several years the Government of Canada has consistently demonstrated its commitment to children and families. For example, there is the allocation of $11 million over three years for a sustained focus on fetal alcohol syndrome.

Health Canada has undertaken some excellent initiatives to address this national health problem: two national public awareness campaigns will be launched this spring; a number of national committees have been formed to provide advice and develop recommendations; in the fall, we will be organizing a national forum for the purpose of developing a national action plan to combat this problem; Canadian physicians will be surveyed to find out their information needs in connection with this problem; there will be increased co-operation with national and international experts in order to standardize the method for diagnosing this syndrome in Canada; and finally, local initiatives which support communities will receive assistance through a strategic project fund.

[Health, March 15th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague for asking that question, because if there are complaints from people in various ridings, Health Canada is only too happy to hear about them.

The Minister of Health wrote a very vigorous letter to the joint committee, charged by the courts, with the administrator, to compensate victims, on January 30.

The joint committee reassured the minister that it would rectify the situation. If problems continue, we would like to know.

[Health Care, March 15th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, through the health transition fund, Health Canada is supporting over 140 innovative projects across the country, each trying new ways to make improvements to our health system.

Announced in 1997, this fund now has projects in place that are making a difference. They are also sharing the lessons they have learned with others across the country.

For example, the health transition fund gave a grant of $677,000 to the SMART project in Hamilton. Many older Canadians are taking a number of different drugs, and the management of their drug regimens is complex.

This project has successfully established links between pharmacists and family physicians with a view to improving seniors' drug regimens.

Pharmacists have noticed improvements in the drug regimens of many seniors, and physicians have been receptive to the advice of pharmacists.

[Health, March 14th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that earlier today the Prime Minister announced that the hon. Sharon Carstairs will take on special responsibility for palliative care. On behalf of the Minister of Health I welcome this appointment.

As we know, Senator Carstairs will be in a position to support the federal government's commitment to develop palliative care by working with the provinces, territories and non governmental organizations to provide palliative care that meets the needs of caregivers, families and patients.

[Health, March 12th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that the health of women, like the health of all Canadians, is a priority for this government.

We will take every measure to ensure that the problems mentioned by the member are studied and that appropriate responses are soon found.