Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my colleagues in the New Democratic Party caucus and all members at least on the opposition side of the House to propose a very constructive suggestion for the government.
We present this motion in good faith and in the spirit of co-operation with the belief that if we all work together we can make a difference. I sense the frustration that the Conservative health critic has just expressed. We are beginning to feel that same sense of frustration having listened to the parliamentary secretary's comments pertaining to this very constructive suggestion. We will try again, throughout the course of this day, to put before members of the Liberal Party the rationale, the testimony, to help them understand that the time has come to overcome this impasse, to put aside the past history on this issue, to do what is right and to act on behalf all blood injured Canadians.
We hope today marks the turning point. As my colleague from Saskatchewan said, if we have a second chance let us use it. Let us not drop the ball. We have the opportunity to make a difference today in an otherwise sorry chapter in this history of this country.
We have had five weeks of emotional, difficult debate in the House. We have had five weeks of personal testimonies on the steps of this building. We have heard heart wrenching stories from those people who are suffering from the disease of hepatitis C through no fault of their own and who are affected by this serious issue. They are looking for compassion and justice. We know we have to end this chapter and get on with making a difference for all blood injured Canadians.
Yesterday the Minister of Health gave us a light of hope when he said he was prepared to convene a meeting, in short order, of all federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health. That was an important step. We took hope yesterday. Today we want to see that hope become a reality. We would like to see the government open the door a little further. We hope the parliamentary secretary's comments are not a reflection of this government's attitude and approach today.
Today the parliamentary secretary said a couple of very disturbing things. I hope he will rethink his statements and his position on those matters. He said that those people affected by the failure of our blood system, the victims of this tragedy, were consulted.
The reason we have made this motion today, presented this constructive suggestion to include representatives of the hepatitis C society and the hemophilia society, is they have not been consulted. They were not included in the development of the agreement that limits compensation to the period of 1986 to 1990.
Yes, there were consultations earlier on. Many months ago the Minister of Health expressed to all those affected that he was willing to listen and do the right thing. We have it in writing. We have documentation from the minister showing his concern and compassion. But we also know that five weeks ago when this decision was put on the table at the federal-provincial ministers meeting of health, they were not included. They were left out of the process. They were not in the loop.
For the record and for the benefit of the parliamentary secretary, let me read briefly from a letter dated April 20 signed by Jeremy Beaty, president of the hepatitis C society. In that letter he asked specifically for the government to consider the viewpoints of the those affected by the tainted blood scandal:
As representatives of the largest hepatitis C through transfusion group in Canada, we ask that you provide funding for independent legal representation to enable our society to access professional advice that is based on social justice and compassion, on behalf of all hepatitis C transfusion victims. This is an issue you can immediately address, and show clear good faith, through a willingness to assist us in our efforts to reach a just resolution.
There is a clear indication on the part of the Hepatitis C Society, which includes all victims of this tragedy and which certainly encompasses the feelings of the Hemophilia Society, that they have not been included. They need to be included. They want to be part of the discussions. We have before the House a very positive suggestion to do just that.
Let us not forget today the contribution that members of the Hepatitis C Society and the Hemophilia Society and all blood injured Canadians have made to this parliament and to this country.
It is hard for us to imagine what they have gone through, the roller coaster ride they have been on, the ups and downs, the hurts and the hopes. Today let us not hurt those victims once again. Let us give them some hope and at least show good faith that we as members of parliament will work together to ensure that the deal is opened up, the question of compensation is re-thought and that they will be at the table.
Let us be absolutely clear that we are not trying to get political mileage out of the suggestion as the parliamentary secretary suggested. At the outset he tried to dismiss our efforts in the House and tried to cast aspersions on our intentions as trying to divide and conquer. For once in the House we have some solidarity. There is support from all quarters. We are working together to do the best thing, to do what is right. Let not the parliamentary secretary diminish those efforts. Let us instead hold up this solidarity as an example of what our democracy can be and what inroads we can make when we work together.
We hope that today the parliamentary secretary will talk with his colleagues and will check with the Minister of Health who gave a very clear indication yesterday of re-opening the file, of rethinking this entrenched, intransigent position, and of accepting full responsibility for the fact that these people were poisoned through the blood system which is clearly under federal regulation. It is that federal regulatory body that failed. It is the responsibility of the federal government to acknowledge that failure and to work co-operatively with all the provinces and territories to come up with a meaningful package that ensures that all who were affected by this disaster, by this crisis, by this tragedy are able to receive some financial assistance, some compassionate relief, some compensation for the havoc that has been wreaked upon their lives.
To conclude, all of us in the House recognize that the measure of a society—and I believe Justice Krever said this as well—is in the dignity and the respect that we confer upon the most vulnerable in our society, the most humble members among us. Let us today make the right decision. Let us hold up this parliament and this nation as a shining example, a beacon of light for compassion, concern and justice.
I wanted to indicate at the outset of my remarks that I would be sharing my time with the member for Halifax West. I understand my 10 minutes is about to lapse. However, before I pass over this opportunity I would like to make one final comment and that is that this has been a very trying time for everyone. Most of all, it has been a heart-wrenching period for those affected by this very sad chapter in the history of this country.
The onus upon all of us is to acknowledge that what we are dealing with is a failure of the federal government to ensure that proper regulations were in place to protect our blood system. That is not to say there is not a will on the part of all provinces and territories to co-operate and to work out solutions to ensure that the financial plans and programs are in place to assist everyone. It is to say that we need leadership from the federal government and, most of all, we need compassion. Let it happen today.
