Health committee  I will simply point out that in the legislation there is a clear commitment to consult with the provinces and territories, a recognition of their jurisdiction and a recognition of their role in drug coverage. This would build and expand on their coverage, as the minister mentioned; it would not replace it.

Health committee  “Related products” are also referred to in the pharmaceutical product definition. In terms of its intention, for example, if you look at the contraceptives, you will find that some of the products that are contraceptives are actually medical devices, like intrauterine devices. That's the idea with the term “related products”.

Health committee  I'll speak first to “single payer”. It's a term that is used very commonly. It was used as far back as the 2019 panel report by Dr. Hoskins and that advisory panel. It's quite a well-understood term. For that reason, there was, in our view, no need to define it. Similarly, “first dollar”, as I mentioned, does have a definition that's quite well understood.

Health committee  That's more of a custom. Whoever the minister is that has oversight over legislation would typically be set out in the legislation.

Health committee  Again, that's in order to ensure consistent drafting and to respect drafting conventions with other legislation. That's why that term is defined as it is. It's to be consistent with other legislation throughout the Department of Justice legislation that we have in Canada.

Health committee  No. I can tell you that we worked on the legislation for several months. In fact, it was probably almost a year. We also work with Department of Justice drafters, legal drafters and people who look at whether the French and the English are consistent. In fact, a great deal of time was spent on developing the legislation.

Health committee  Yes. I'm aware of that letter or motion.

Health committee  Sorry, but I'm not sure I understand your question.

Health committee  I lack the necessary expertise to answer that question. You're in a better position to answer it than I am.

Health committee  True, but if I may, I would like to repeat what the minister said. In a context—

Health committee  Yes.

Health committee  Yes.

Health committee  I'm going to ask my colleague to fill in a little, but just to be clear, yes, what I was referring to is the period during which Health Canada will review a drug for authorization in Canada and when it will conclude that review. Then what I was trying to refer to as well is that there are other processes that typically take place before a product will be available at, say, a pharmacy.

Health committee  The section sets out principles, as you've set out. Very much as is stated there, in moving towards the implementation of national universal pharmacare, you've heard the minister refer to this as a first phase. You've heard the minister also refer to the other section of the bill that speaks to contraceptives and diabetes as part of that first phase.

Health committee  If it's helpful, I would refer you to the definition of a pharmaceutical product, which is set out in clause 2 of the legislation, and reads as: ...means a prescription drug or related product that is funded, in whole or in part, through a pharmacare agreement to which the Government of Canada is a party.‍