Mr. Speaker, will the minister please tell this House what the government is doing to reaffirm its principles for this very important document?
House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2011, with 28% of the vote.
Human Rights December 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, will the minister please tell this House what the government is doing to reaffirm its principles for this very important document?
Human Rights December 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, through his recent travels our current Prime Minister has reaffirmed Canada's commitment to the global human rights agenda.
December 10, 2004 marked the 56th anniversary of the United Nations adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one of the most important documents ever written.
My question is for the Minister of Justice. Can you please tell us what this House is doing--
Hiv-Aids December 8th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, HIV-AIDS is an important health issue that has tremendous impact on families and communities throughout the world. In the year 2002 there were 7,700 women that were diagnosed with HIV-AIDS.
Could the Minister of Health please tell us what his department is doing with regard to the growing number of women who are affected with HIV-AIDS?
Volunteerism December 1st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, December 5 is International Volunteer Day. It is officially recognized by the United Nations as a day on which volunteers around the world celebrate their contributions and their dedication.
One such dedicated Canadian volunteer is Jason Goveas. Jason is an Ottawa high tech worker and has been a volunteer for a very long time.
He works at a homeless shelter in the downtown core serving breakfast to over 200 homeless people every day. He has also spent a lot of time and a lot of energy doing good work in other capacities, including two separate Habitat for Humanity projects. He has just recently returned from a 15 month engagement in South Africa where he provided IT support to a child welfare agency.
From coast to coast, volunteers like Jason strengthen our communities and make the world a better place. They serve on boards and committees, mentor peers, organize cultural and recreational activities, support the elderly, provide shelter, counsel youth, clean parks, coach teams and so much more. Volunteers do this work because they--
Hepatitis C November 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, this week the Government of Canada announced its intention to enter into discussions on options for financial compensation to people who were infected with hepatitis C through the blood system before January 1, 1986 and after July 1, 1990.
The ravages of this disease and its effect on the individual and families involved has been immeasurable. The disease has stripped away health, careers, home and has caused unspeakable anxiety.
At one time, Canada's blood scandal made for daily headlines. However, even after it disappeared from the news, victims have continued living with the consequences every day.
I applaud the measures taken by the government to build upon its previous commitment to ensure that those people infected with hepatitis C before 1986 and after 1990 are attended to. They have asked us to re-examine the options for compensation. Their voice has not been forgotten. We are listening and we hope and believe that this is the right and the responsible thing to do.
An accountable government such as ours engages its efforts not exclusively in determining the vision for a healthier future, but also ensuring that the needs of Canadians across the country are attended to.
Supply November 23rd, 2004
Mr. Chair, I thank the minister for her insight into the role that our public health officer will to play. I think all parliamentarians share a collective vision of wellness for all Canadians.
Could the Minister of Health perhaps elaborate on the significant and historic deal we signed in September 2004 with the federal government working in significant partnership with all the provinces and highlight or outline the direction the health of our nation will take for the next 10 years?
The substantial issue that was in the health care accord, which was signed at the first ministers meeting, was the reduction in waiting times that many Canadians experience across the country. It is nice to see that our federal government has finally taken a great initiative to reduce that waiting time.
Could the minister perhaps elaborate on the waiting time strategy contained in the health care accord that was signed in September 2004?
Supply November 23rd, 2004
Mr. Chair, I take the opportunity to congratulate the Minister of State for Public Health for doing a wonderful job in her role. She has reached out to a tremendous number of Canadians. I know, from my background in health care and in working in a multidisciplinary environment, that providing and promoting healthy lifestyles are definitely the keys to the success of the health care of Canadians.
I was wondering whether the Minister of State for Public Health could provide me with some insight into the role that our public health officer will be playing for the lifestyles of Canadians and how that fits into the estimates.
Supply November 23rd, 2004
Mr. Chair, I am glad for the opportunity to congratulate the minister on the leadership he has shown in a very complex portfolio.
Much of the discussion this evening has been centred on our health care system and what our government will be doing to improve it. This is important, no doubt, as health care is the number one priority for all Canadians.
As a chiropractor who has owned multidisciplinary clinics, I had the chance firsthand to see the challenges we face in our health care system. I have also seen the benefits of various health care professionals working together in one team to provide patients with high quality care. More important, I have had the chance to experience the benefits of empowering patients with knowledge about their health.
I strongly believe that it is imperative that we as a government move forward on our health care file with an agenda that incorporates both prevention and promotion of a healthy lifestyle activity. Be it physical fitness, genetic factors or social and economic conditions, the health of our air, our water or the rest of our environment, these are all factors which are critical and crucial to the health of Canadians.
Some of these factors are well outside the mandate of our hon. minister. However they are areas in which our minister can play a significant role in promoting and educating Canadians that healthy choices do equal healthy lifestyles and good health. Much research has shown that people who exercise, eat right and live a healthy lifestyle are less likely to require health care services. In an era when resources are limited and the needs are many, we must look at effective strategies that encourage Canadians to lead these healthy lifestyles.
I am sure many members in this House have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” or “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. I am sure that these were not invented because they sound nice. These sayings are instrumental in promoting the mindset that we as a government must encourage.
We must look at healthy living in two different perspectives. We must first forecast and acknowledge the social implications of our aging demographic but we also must be proactive in articulating the importance of healthy living to our younger generation.
As an example, it is well-known that we as a nation are seeing an increase in obesity. The percentage of Canadian adults who would be defined as obese has more than doubled between 1985 and 1998. In 1985 the rate for obesity was 5.6%. and in 1998 the rate changed to 14.8%.
We also can talk about childhood obesity. In 1981 the rate was 2% and in 1996, 9% of young girls and 10% of young boys were overweight . Today, eight years later, in 2004, obesity in children has dramatically increased.
As a nation, I strongly believe that we must do more. We must take initiatives to promote healthy living. We must promote promotion and population health. We, as a nation, must make it our responsibility to reach out to children in schools and promote physical activity and exercise. It will be this increase in physical activity that will help the very cause that leads to obesity.
We, as a government, must reach out to Canadians and promote healthy eating habits. Encouraging better eating habits will produce a reduction in the rates of obesity in our country.
It is evident that prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles will assist in the reduction of the $1.8 billion per year that our health care system spends on the problem of obesity.
I am a firm believer that as we move forward into the next generation, our health care investments need to focus on population health, on prevention and on promotion.
In light of all of these factors, how do these estimates that the minister has provided today support effective action to encourage healthy living?
Health November 4th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to welcome many of the chiropractors who are in Ottawa this week to meet with their federal representatives. I believe these meetings will provide an ideal opportunity for many hon. members in the House to learn about the integral role of chiropractics in the health care arena.
As a chiropractor, I have seen first-hand the benefit of chiropractic treatment for conditions such as back pain, neck pain and headaches. With musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, costing Canadians $16.4 billion in treatment and rehabilitation costs, and in reduced workforce productivity, the chiropractic profession definitely has a key role to play in addressing many of the challenges that we experience in health care.
As the dynamics of health care change, it is imperative that all health care professionals work together in a multidisciplinary environment to provide Canadians with the highest quality of health care. I wish chiropractors across Canada much continued success in their noble profession.
Riding of Brampton--Springdale October 21st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I rise before this House today to pay tribute to the constituents of Brampton--Springdale. The Brampton--Springdale community is a community like many others across our great country. It has been built on a sense of pride, hard work and dedication. These are so many of the same values that are shared by Canadians coast to coast.
It is truly an honour to be part of a government that wants to build upon these values. It is truly an honour to be part of a government that wants to be responsive to the many needs of these Canadians: having a national quality childcare program, ensuring that we have the highest quality of health care, and ensuring that we have the best cities and communities in which to live. These are the very reasons that Canada will continue to be the envy of the world.
I am humbled to be able to be a member of this House and to contribute to the achievement of these goals with the same energy, enthusiasm, dedication and spirit that make up and define the success of the Brampton--Springdale community.