Lost his last election, in 1997, with 38% of the vote.
Department Of Health February 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, in responding to the hon. member's question all I can say is that the information was forwarded to the deputy. Action was commenced by her and recommendations which have come from the information commissioner have been acted upon.
In terms of the specifics, I will have to check my files and get back to the hon. member.
Sponsorship Of Sporting And Cultural Events February 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know that 40,000 Canadians die each and every year. Bill C-71 was for the purpose of health, enhancing the health of young people in particular.
I said on the record for members to view that last week we received a number of representations and various technical amendments from a variety of different groups which we are examining at the present time. When I complete my examination I will move forward.
Sponsorship Of Sporting And Cultural Events February 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should not speculate about speculation.
Health February 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, again I think we have to be careful of the facts.
The report says very clearly that Canada has the second most expensive health care system in the OECD countries. Furthermore the forum has said very clearly that it is not an issue of funding; it is an issue of managing and substantially changing the direction in which health care is heading.
That is why I am very happy that the hon. member will support the directions in terms of further improvements as they relate to home care, pharma care and primary care. I appreciate his support
and the support of the NDP as we move forward on these important issues.
Krever Inquiry February 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, to repeat what the very eminent Minister of Justice has just said, the hon. member is entitled to his own opinion but certainly not entitled to his own facts on this issue. Quite the contrary.
Since we have assumed our responsibilities in the field of health care in dealing with the blood issue, we have attempted to provide all available information to the Krever inquiry. We have acted on many of the interim recommendations that he has made.
As I have said many times inside and outside this House, we await the final conclusions of Justice Krever so that we can incorporate those that will improve, restore and add confidence to the blood system in this country.
National Forum On Health February 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for raising the subject matter on the floor of the House.
The conclusions of the forum report were obvious to all. The problems in our health care system today are not as a result of lack of funding. It has to do with the management of the system.
In point of fact, the recommendations that are contained in the forum report suggesting that we, as Canadians, ought to move to a more inclusive system such as including home care and pharmacare are directions that all member ought to support for the benefit of high quality health care for every Canadian.
Public Inquiries February 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite forgets that it was this minister and this member in opposition who requested and pushed the previous government to have an inquiry into the Canadian blood system.
Furthermore, we have been trying to work co-operatively with provincial governments, consumers and stakeholders across this country to put in place a new system which would ensure that the past would never happen again.
I have said privately and I have said publicly, in this House and outside this House, that I accept and have acted on all the recommendations that the eminent Justice Krever has made. We
look forward to having his report so that we can do follow-up in terms of the various measures he wishes to recommend.
Public Inquiries February 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I listened to the preamble of the hon. member's question with regard to the blood system in this country. Notwithstanding his desire to give the impression to Canadians from coast to coast that the blood system somehow lacks the confidence of Canadians, I wish to assure the House and Canadians that our blood system does have the confidence of Canadians from coast to coast.
Finally, I say to the hon. member opposite that if the hon. member wishes to put words to action, why does he not have the guts to run against me in an election campaign?
Krever Commission February 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the tone and the accusations of the hon. member are absolutely false. Just like the record of the Reform Party, when it comes to health related measures it is all over the map.
Tainted Blood February 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member must realize that the contents of the commissioner's report have been forwarded to Justice Krever. He will then have an opportunity, if he so desires, to comment on the substance of the commissioner's report and make recommendations thereto.
The hon. member is fully aware that the commissioner has also made recommendations to Parliament, of which the hon. member is a member, in terms of recommendations and sanctions which may or may not take place as they relate to officials in the future if in fact actions of that nature do take place.