Dany Morin

[Health, September 23rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, according to a study released this morning, half of all Canadians are unhappy with health care wait times.

In 2014, the Conservatives cancelled the transfer of $250 million to the provinces, funds that were supposed to reduce wait times. Thus, the Conservatives broke their 2006 election promise. They also cut regular health care transfers and refused to listen when it came time to create a pan-Canadian health care plan for seniors.

When will the Conservatives show some leadership and work with the provinces to reduce wait times?

[Health, September 22nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the government is putting Canadians' health at risk, and the minister is doing a poor job of reassuring people. We have been waiting for her to appoint a chief public health officer for 15 months now.

Meanwhile, the Ebola crisis is gaining momentum and enterovirus EV-D68 is threatening children. The Public Health Agency's budget has been cut, and the government cannot guarantee that drugs sold in Canada are safe. Time is of the essence.

Having waited 15 months, does the minister think it might be time to wake up and appoint a new head of public health?

[Health, September 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this week, the minister acknowledged that Health Canada was unable to prevent the importation of drugs that could pose a threat to Canadians. The minister has provided no reassurance as to Health Canada's ability to fulfill its responsibilities. They have to take people's health seriously.

Once and for all, can the minister reassure Canadians and explain to us how she will ensure that drugs on the market in Canada are safe?

[Health, September 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, with the Ebola virus spreading beyond Africa and the EV-D68 virus hitting Canada, we cannot help but note that since 2011, the budget of the Public Health Agency of Canada has been reduced by $153 million. Can the minister assure us that the 22% cut to her budget will not jeopardize Canadians' health?

[Health, September 16th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have been in power for eight years, and we still have no law in place to protect Canadians from dangerous drugs. Where is the government's sense of urgency?

We proposed open, transparent measures, but the Conservatives refused these changes. In addition, the Conservatives have cut Health Canada's budget by $20 million.

Why has the government done nothing for eight years to strengthen drug regulations and protect the safety of Canadians?

[Ebola Outbreak, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to ensure that the people still watching the debate at home at such a late hour understand the magnitude of the crisis and where we are heading. According to the World Health Organization, 4,293 probable or confirmed cases of Ebola have been identified in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal. The WHO is projecting that 20,000 people will be infected in the next three months. When I said that this is a pivotal time, I was not joking.

My question for my Liberal colleague is this: does she believe that the situation will be as serious as the WHO's projection if the government does not provide more assistance, be it financial or technical?

[Ebola Outbreak, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my Liberal colleague for her speech, which was a heartfelt appeal.

She is absolutely right. During tonight's emergency debate, which was more of a discussion, information was shared by both sides. I concur with my colleague that the next step is for Canadian experts to explain the situation to parliamentarians and outline Canada's next steps. As parliamentarians we should listen to what our experts have to say rather than just saying that Canada should give more money and do certain things.

The Standing Committee on Health will resume its work this week or the next, and therefore we still have time. I am sure that my Liberal colleagues and all the other members who are just as passionate as we are could attend and hear what the experts have to say. You have to be passionate about this debate in order to remain in the House of Commons until midnight. I repeat that we are at a critical juncture of the evolution of the Ebola crisis. We must take the next steps.

Does my colleague agree that experts must appear before the Standing Committee on Health as early as next week, if possible, when the committee resumes its work? Although there are many worthwhile issues to be examined by the Standing Committee on Health, which does great work, we could make this issue a priority for one day so that Canada's parliamentarians could be advised by real experts who have been working on this file for many years.

[Ebola Outbreak, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I like numbers. In his response to my Liberal colleague, the hon. member listed numerous government initiatives. He spoke about the hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been invested. At the end of the day, the fact remains that Canada is investing just over $5 million in the fight against Ebola. For Canada, $5 million equals a mere 14¢ per person. The United States is investing 31¢ per person while the United Kingdom is investing more than 60¢ per person.

Will my Conservative colleague put pressure on his own government, on cabinet, so that Canada will give more than 40¢ per person?

[Ebola Outbreak, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with my Conservative colleague that WHO is co-ordinating everything. However, WHO has clearly expressed its needs. On August 28, it presented a road map to prevent the spread of the virus, and the UN determined that fighting Ebola in West Africa would require at least $600 million.

As I mentioned, a number of countries have committed to contributing money. I will try again to send a message to the government party. Canada pledged 14¢ per citizen, the United States pledged 31¢ per citizen, and the United Kingdom, 62¢ per citizen. Clearly, Canada could give more than 14¢ per citizen.

[Ebola Outbreak, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my Liberal colleague, whom I have always liked a lot and whose comments and questions reflect a unique perspective. It is likely a result of the profession she had before she became an MP. She is a nice addition to the House of Commons.

It is true that in my 10-minute speech, I focused heavily on the financial aspect, and it is true that money is not the only solution. I would like to mention four other measures before my time is up. It is important that Canada scale up the isolation centres and deploy mobile laboratories to improve diagnostic capabilities. We must set up air bridges to move personnel and equipment between West Africa and other parts of the world. It is also important to build a regional network of field hospitals to treat infected or potentially infected medical personnel.

I do not know whether the Conservative government will want to move forward with these measures, but they are practical measures and Canada must implement them.