Health committee  Thank you for your question. First of all I want to make it clear that whenever we develop a policy and legislation, we ask ourselves if it complies with our international trade obligations. We did this in the case of bill C-32. I think that NAFTA and the former GATT recognize that there are exceptions for valid reasons, such as health and safety concerns.

Health committee  There are two issues; we have to make the distinction. Can someone try and attack Canada on that? I have no control over that. On the other hand, do we believe we are in a good position to justify and defend the law? I believe we are. Can I guarantee anything? The answer is no, obviously.

Health committee  We recognize that the Infoway is a project that has to be done in stages. All of the experts recognize the need to move forward carefully as far as managing these resources are concerned, and we want to see progress in one stage before moving on to the next. We believe, as does the Auditor General, I think, that the Infoway management practices comply with that, all in all.

Health committee  Yes, there are lessons to be learned from other less positive experiences with large information projects and, especially, recent experiences in Ontario that give us good reason to be increasingly prudent.

Health committee  Thank you. Bill C-32, the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act, is an important piece of legislation that will help reduce the likelihood of young people smoking. It is intended to reduce the consumption of tobacco by kids by requiring things like minimum package sizes for little cigars, blunt wraps, and placing a ban on the use of additives that are attractive to youth, including flavours in little cigars, cigarettes, and blunt wraps.

Health committee  We have been processing these since 2004. There was a backlog that we have begun to deal with. Close to 18,000 licences have been issued—17,807 as of November 25 were issued to nearly 1,000 different companies. The backlog is steadily going down. Our processes are improving--from issuing 5,000 in December of 2007 to 10,000 in November of 2008 to close to 18,000 today.

Health committee  Thank you. I'll answer, and I'll also provide you with something in writing on some of the business process improvements that are taking place, including the launch of an NHP online system last February, a process to batch applications, the simplification and streamlining of the applications and review processes, and the provision of quarterly progress reports.

Health committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. In terms of the last report, there was work to be done with Infoway on further due diligence. Since that time the Auditor General has released her report on Infoway. I know that the Auditor General and Mr. Alvarez were before this committee the other day.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and good afternoon to you and members of the committee. I want to thank you for the opportunity to provide an update on progress being made at Health Canada to address the Auditor General's recommendations regarding the management of intellectual property.

Health committee  Madam Chair, I cannot answer this question fully because part of it pertains to the mandate of the Public Health Agency. I know that you have regular briefing sessions with its officials, and it would be more appropriate to direct the public health questions to Dr. Butler-Jones or other officials from this agency.

Health committee  We can use North America, as an example, but you could use any country as an example. Through the World Health Organization, you could take a country like Canada. The objective is the same. In a pandemic situation, coordination, the exchange of information and scientific opinions represent one of the big challenges.

Health committee  There were a number of meetings. I don't have them itemized here. The minister met and spoke with Grand Chief Evans and Grand Chief Harper on a number of occasions. My purpose in going to Winnipeg last week was simply to provide an opportunity, really out of a sense of respect for everybody involved, to look at the report and make comments.

Health committee  Thank you for your question. Let me try to respond. There are a number of things that have occurred since this unfortunate incident, I would say, starting with better communication. I'm not going to defend the situation as being optimal. I think everyone recognizes that we have work to do.

Health committee  Yes, thank you. I was in Winnipeg on Friday, I went to Mexico Sunday morning and I came back Monday evening. We had a brief but useful meeting with the Americans. The Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security—in the United States, this is the department that coordinates these matters, along with officials from other departments, such as the U.S.

Health committee  Thank you for this question, which is very pertinent. I think that a distinction has to be made. We have a principle which, generally speaking, is good and should remain. For most medical supplies, the nurse working in the field is in the best position to use her judgment when placing orders.