David Dingwall

[Krever Commission, March 12th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is a member of a very distinguished profession. When the hon. member makes that kind of accusation on the floor of the House of Commons he lends absolutely nothing to the substantive debate as it relates to this country's blood system.

The accusations of that member and of the Reform Party are absolutely false and unqualified. The hon. member knows no one is trying to hamper what Justice Krever may or may not say.

The Attorney General of Canada has a fiduciary obligation and a statutory obligation to ensure procedural fairness and the rules of natural justice apply to each and every citizen. That is the fact and the hon. member ought to acknowledge that.

[Krever Commission, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, Justice Krever has a made a significant positive contribution to the country's blood system. His interim report of 43 different recommendations and the seven which apply to Health Canada have all been acted upon.

As a result of Justice Krever's recommendations where he talked about the lack of governance in the blood system in this country, today I have embarked upon a consultation process not only with provincial governments but with all of the major stakeholders and consumers across the country to try to put in place a system of governance for the blood system.

It is our obligation to work co-operatively and effectively with all of the players to ensure that the blood system in this country which is presently safe is the safest system in the entire world.

[Health Care System, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, maybe at some other time we will have an opportunity to debate the hon. member's assertion that this is exclusively a provincial matter.

The research fund which is being put in place by the Minister of Finance is a very creative tool. Provincial governments that deliver health care in this country would then have the ability to utilize that kind of money on research which is needed. It will be conducted by the Medical Research Council. It will be done at arm's length to the minister involved. It will provide paybacks to the health care system not only for the first year but indeed in the years to come.

[Health Care System, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have to take issue with the thesis of the hon. member's question.

The Minister of Finance has given exactly what provincial ministers of health have wanted for quite some time. He has given them consistency. He has given them a cash floor as it relates to the CHST and he has given longevity in terms of the amount of money that will be provided in terms of the transfers.

With regard to the second part of her question in terms of the health services research fund, this is a very creative tool which the Minister of Finance has agreed to. It will help to lever money from other provincial governments, the private sector and non-profit organizations in order to look at research which will have an immediate impact on cutting the cost in terms of the health care system. It is not a form of duplication anywhere in the country. We want to work co-operatively and consult with the provinces on the best way in which to utilize the fund, provided of course that they wish to be a part of it.

[The Budget, March 7th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I did not raise the issue of spin doctors. But the leader of the third party said in September 1993 that his party supported user fees, deductibles and would eliminate universality. However, just before the election there was a flip-flop. Reform members said in October that they were opposed to private health care and user fees.

When they got into the House of Commons in October they said medicare was bad for everyone. Then they flip-flopped again. In November they said that medicare is important to all Canadians.

It is high time that members of the Reform Party stopped talking out of both sides of their mouths.

[The Budget, March 7th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I would have thought the hon. member would stand today and congratulate the Minister of Finance for bringing in one of the best budgets the country has seen.

I realize where the hon. member comes from and the individuals he is attempting to support. But even he has to recognize that the finance minister has put in place a regime which will not only stabilize the transfer, it establishes a cash floor and it is consistent for an extended period of time.

It is what the provincial ministers of health wanted and it is what the provincial ministers of finance wanted. It is a good deal for all Canadians.

[Controlled Drugs And Substances Act, March 6th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-8, an act to amend respecting the control of certain drugs, their precursors and other substances, and to amend certain other acts and to repeal the Narcotic Control Act in consequence thereof.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the standing orders and to the traditions of the House I wish to state that this bill is in the same form as Bill C-7 of the first session of the 35th Parliament at the time of prorogation. I therefore request that it be reinstated as provided in the special order adopted by this House on March 4.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Health Care, March 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question. The House should extend congratulations to those 80,000 Albertans who signed petitions in hockey arenas, shopping malls and homes across that province to give support to what we know as medicare.

The members of Parliament from that great province realize fully that 75 per cent of its population support the five basic principles of the Canada Health Act. They do not support the two-tier system which is being advocated by the Reform Party of Canada. They support unquestionably the principles of universality, access, affordability and free access to all Canadians. It is high time that the Reform Party got on side with the general population of the province of Alberta.

[Health Care, March 4th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House, Canadians in the province of Alberta and those people over there have been waiting patiently to ascertain the policy position of the Reform Party on medicare.

On two separate occasions the leader of the third party as well as its critic have made conflicting views and statements with regard to medicare. It is high time the Reform Party came clean and told Canadians where it stands.

[Health Care, March 4th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member is aware that the people in the province of Quebec overwhelmingly support the five principles of the Canada Health Act. In point of fact, in excess of 63 per cent of the people of the province of Quebec support medicare in Canada.

I want to say to the hon. member that it is vitally important for all Canadians regardless of where they live, regardless of their socioeconomic status, that they have access to good quality health care. Many royal commissions which have been put in place by provincial governments across the country have said that the question is not one of funding, the question is one of management. There is no duplication between the various levels of government, and if there were we would move forward to correct it.