Leona Aglukkaq

[Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, May 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to meet our commitments under the WHMIS program. I recognize that the hon. member may wish additional information. I am prepared to share that information with her.

Health Canada will continue to meet its obligations. As I said, the savings come from leveraging efficiencies in similar programs, such as chemical and product safety, and to ensure that worker safety is not compromised and in fact will be improved through these efficiencies. We will continue to meet our obligations.

[Medical Isotopes, May 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, again, this is an international issue that requires international co-operation and global response.

Health Canada has provided advance warnings and regular updates to the provinces and the territories. I am working with the medical isotopes experts to develop medical guidance on dealing with the shortage, including examining other possible isotopes. We are also using levers, such as the special access programs and clinical trials, to provide alternatives to Canadians.

Health Canada is taking every possible steps to ensure access to alternative isotopes where possible.

[Medical Isotopes, May 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, since 2007, government and health care providers have developed contingency measures to minimize the impact on patients. This includes using alternative isotopes, such as thallium.

I have engaged with my provincial and territorial counterparts as well as the United States and medical experts in this area. My colleague, the Minister of Natural Resources, has been working with the international community.

Health Canada has provided advance warning and regular updates to the provinces and territories. We have worked with the isotope experts to develop medical guidance on dealing with the shortage, including using medical isotope alternatives.

[Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, May 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Natural Resources is working closely with her international partners on the issue of supply.

The current isotope shortage is concerning, however, Canadians can have confidence that the government is taking short-term measures and looking at long-term solutions. I have engaged with my provincial and territorial counterparts and the U.S. secretary of health, as well as the medical community and experts in the field.

My colleague, the Minister of Natural Resources, again, is working closely with international partners to come up with a global response to this issue.

[Medical Isotopes, May 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, since 2007, government and health care providers have developed contingency measures to minimize the impact on patients. This includes alternative isotopes, such as thallium 201 for cardiac scanning.

The Minister of Natural Resources is working very hard with the international community to deal with the supply issue. Health Canada has been in contact with the provinces and territories and has discussed the implementation of the contingency measures to provide medical isotopes alternatives.

[Health, May 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, during the last election, we committed to take real action to protect our young people from tobacco marketing practices.

This morning I had the pleasure of announcing that our government will crack down on the marketing strategies used by tobacco companies to entice our children. A promise made, a promise kept. This will include setting a minimum package size for cigarillos and blunts that are less affordable for children, prohibiting flavours and additives that would appeal to children, and banning all tobacco advertising and promotion that may be viewed by youth.

Thanks to the action of this Conservative government, Canada is a world leader in tobacco control.

[Health, May 12th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I know the critical role that nurses play when it comes to our health care system. That is why we have taken action to help retain and recruit nurses through an investment of $4.2 million in March of this year, announced in Manitoba.

I appreciate the suggestions by my hon. colleague. I have instructed my department to carefully review the recommendations from the Canadian Nurses Association, including an update on the baseline study. I can assure the hon. member that our government will continue to take steps to support Canadian nurses.

In recognition of National Nursing Week, I would like to thank nurses and front line health care workers for what they do each and every day.

[Seal Hunt, May 5th, 2009]

Mr. Chair, before I ask my question, I would like to state that as a northerner, this issue is near and dear to my heart. I come from an area called Netsilingmiut. In English that translates to “the people of the seal”.

As many members know, in the north the cost of living is very high. In my hometown a pineapple costs $15, a turkey costs $100 and a T-bone steak will sometimes cost $25. We depend on the wildlife in the north for food security, whether it be the polar bear, the seal, the fish or duck. I have a brother who is a full-time hunter and continues to hunt to this day for a living.

One of the things that we have said many times in the north is that we are a product of our environment. We do not have farms in our communities. We depend on every animal, on the wildlife in our area for food security. Whether it be a polar bear ban or a seal ban, collectively this has huge implications to the population in the north.

To get to the question around the high cost of living, when we are dealing with the high cost of living in the north, we depend on the seal hunt. Not only that, the carbon tax proposed by the Liberal government would increase the cost of food even more. Does the member realize the impact this would have on people in the northern communities and in outside communities, whether it be the seal ban supported by their senator and/or the carbon tax?

[Health, April 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government's highest priority is the health and safety of Canadians.

That is why in budget 2006 we invested $1 billion to increase Canada's preparedness to respond to public health threats, including an influenza pandemic.

The Public Health Agency of Canada, working with the provinces and territories, has developed a comprehensive pandemic influenza plan. The plan includes domestic vaccine capacity as well as stockpiling of antivirals.

I can assure all hon. members that we are continuing to review and update this plan in order to protect Canadians.

[Health, April 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is well positioned to deal with this issue. We have a national plan for disease outbreaks and we are following it.

All the cases in Canada to date have been mild. We have issued travel health warnings regarding non-essential travel to Mexico. I have spoken with my provincial and territorial counterparts across Canada and have provided them updates. We have engaged Foreign Affairs, Public Safety and Citizenship and Immigration. I am also having regular discussions with our international partners, including the World Health Organization and health officials in the United States and Mexico.

As the hon. member knows, I have been updating my opposition critics and continue to update Canadians regularly.