House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2019, with 26% of the vote.
Health January 31st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our approach has been to work with the provinces and the drug companies so they can share information about drug shortages publicly on a website.
It was also encouraging that at this year's health ministers meeting, all ministers agreed to work collaboratively on the issue.
We will also continue to monitor whether companies make the information available to doctors and patients and if they do not, then we are open to considering passing regulations requiring them to do so.
Questions on the Order Paper January 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the government supports provincial and territorial health care delivery through fiscal transfers and targeted programs. Unlike previous governments that balanced their books on the backs of the provincial and territorial governments, we have committed to a long-term stable funding arrangement that will see health care transfers reach historic levels of $40 billion by the end of the decade. Health transfers from the federal government to provinces grew by 40 percent between 2005-2006 and 2012-2013. Our investments in health care will help preserve Canada’s health care system so it will be there when Canadians need it.
With respect to research and awareness, in May 2008, the Public Health Agency of Canada, PHAC, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CIHR, coordinated a meeting with the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario and other stakeholders to explore ways to increase knowledge and awareness of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, ME/CFS, and to address research needs. This meeting led to the first Canadian national scientific seminar on ME/CFS in Calgary in November 2008. This seminar was held to raise awareness, increase medical practitioners’ knowledge, and improve medical treatment for patients with ME/CFS. An article on this seminar was published by PHAC and can be found at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cdic-mcbc/29-3/pdf/cdic29-3-6-eng.pdf.
CIHR has invested $28,000 since 2009-2010 in research related to ME/CFS. In addition, CIHR’s Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, IMHA, has set aside a separate pool of funds in its undergraduate studentship program for myalgic encephalomyelitis and fybromyagalia. Details are available at http://www.researchnet-recherchenet.ca/rnr16/vwOpprtntyDtls.do?prog=1699&view=currentOpps&org=CIHR&type=AND&resultCount=25&sort=program&all=1&masterList=tru.e.
Surveillance of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia is undertaken by PHAC in looking at trends in disease prevalence in order to inform program and policy decisions. Data from the 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey, CCHS, allow PHAC to produce scientific surveillance information on ME/CFS, raise awareness and support efforts to increase understanding of the impact of these conditions.
The questions on ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities were asked of all CCHS respondents in 2010. Analysis of the 2005 and 2010 data demonstrated that there were no changes in the prevalence of these conditions in this five-year period; therefore, maintaining the data collection on these conditions every four years is appropriate.
The Public Health Agency of Canada's website is aimed at delivering information and services to users that are relevant and applicable to its mandate and that of the Government of Canada. While PHAC facilitates the sharing of clinical information via its website, it is the responsibility of health care professional associations and medical bodies to ensure that relevant clinical information is available to their members. The following documents are available at the links indicated below: Canadian Consensus Document for ME/CFS: A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/az-index-eng.php#C; and Canadian Consensus Document for Fibromyalgia: A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/az-index-eng.php#F.
Mental Health Commission of Canada December 12th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the 2011-12 annual report of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The Mental Health Commission of Canada continues to act as a focal point for mental health in Canada.
This year, the commission achieved an important milestone with the release of the mental health strategy for Canada entitled, “Changing Directions Changing Lives”. I would like to extend my appreciation to the commission for its work.
Arctic Council December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the experts on the north that the member is quoting are not even from the north. Our government is going to listen to the true experts of the north. That is why I have been consulting with a wide range of northerners.
I guess we should not be too shocked that the member for Western Arctic would not want us to listen to northerners. After all, he voted against the wishes of his own constituents when he voted against a number of investments for the north, including abolishing the gun registry.
Arctic Council December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I want to remind the member that Canada will take over the chairmanship next year. We will work with northerners to develop a solid agenda that represents the interests of northerners.
While we are out consulting and investing in northerners, the member for Western Arctic is voting against things like the Inuvik-Tuk highway and any investments in northern health care.
If the opposition members are concerned about the north, then perhaps they could start voting in favour of the north.
Health December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, unlike the previous government that balanced its books on the backs of the provinces and the territories, we have committed to a long-term, stable funding for the provinces and territories.
We respect the jurisdiction of the provinces and the territories in the area of health care. To help the provinces and the territories address the issue of wait times, we have made targeted investments of $6.5 billion. We also have provided long-term, stable funding up to $40 billion to the end of the decade.
I am glad to see that our investments are making a difference, as we see improvements in wait times for priority areas such as cancer care, cardiac care and diagnostic testing.
Health December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, Health Canada conducted an inspection of this company and determined it was falsifying records. This is completely unacceptable, so to protect consumers, we have suspended their licence.
As a precautionary step, Health Canada is asking companies to temporarily halt sales of the affected products until their safety can be confirmed.
I have directed Health Canada to get to the bottom of this and to inform Canadian of any changes. We will continue to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
Health December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, to enable the provinces and the territories to address their priorities, our government has introduced a long-term stable funding increase up to $40 billion by the end of the decade.
I also want to mention the other investments that we are making: $1 billion in health research resulting in over 10,000 research projects across Canada; a debt forgiveness program for doctors and nurses; the establishment of a mental health commission of Canada; Canadian partnerships against cancer; Canadian Institutes of Health Research; improving the food safety system; as well as medical records. The list goes on.
Health December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the provinces and territories are responsible for delivering health care in their jurisdictions. To enable the provinces and the territories to address their priorities, we have announced long-term stable funding arrangements that will see transfers reach a historic level of $40 billion by the end of the decade.
Health December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, our government has implemented tough new controls to prevent these drugs from being illegally distributed. We have tightened the rules under the non-insured health benefit program and have seen a 50% reduction in the amount of these drugs provided. These are just some examples of what we are doing.
However, I do have a question for the Liberal Party. OxyContin was approved in 1996 under the Liberal government. The member opposite was also the public health minister at that time. Why, for 10 years, did the Liberals do nothing to strengthen the controls on this drug and prevent its abuse?