Supply  Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. What is wrong with setting up private clinics so that people who want to pay can pay? We only have to look at the United States where people who want to pay can pay and buy as much as they want whether or not they need it

Supply  Madam Speaker, I rise to speak with a mixture of emotions. There is some confusion, some humour, and some sadness. I am confused that members of the third party would bring forth this kind of motion when it so clearly contraindicates everything they have ever said in the past du

Supply  Madam Speaker, the hon. member put forward an eloquent speech, wonderful rhetoric. It shows a depth though of the superficiality of the understanding of what health care is all about and what the five principles of medicare actually mean. I would not like to add any further rhet

National Solidarity Day For The Aboriginal Peoples Of Canada Act  Madam Speaker, the hon. member asks a very interesting and a very pertinent question. It is one in which we are very interested at Health Canada, mainly because it has to do with the issue of the health of Canadians and of Canadian women. Before I speak any further on the issue,

Canadian Cancer Society  Mr. Speaker, it is April and spring is here, at least in British Columbia. The daffodils are in full bloom and so is the Canadian Cancer Society's fundraising campaign. Since 1938 the Canadian Cancer Society has tried to eradicate cancer and sought to better the lives of people

Mining Industry  Mr. Speaker, we all believe that developing a strong economic base for this country is the key to global competitiveness. As a British Columbian, I urge the members of this House to recognize the importance of the mining industry to all Canadians. The government's 1995 budget ma

Firearms Act  Madam Speaker, not only is it an honour for me to speak to the bill, I am enthusiastic and I would like to applaud something that is long overdue. The bill addresses the health and safety of Canadians. As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, health and safety are ex

Vision Awareness Week  Mr. Speaker, it is important for me to bring to the attention of the House that March 6 to March 11 is Vision Awareness Week in Canada. This year's theme is "Hope is in sight: good vision and literacy, there is a clear connection". It is a sad fact that many Canadians cannot rea

The Budget  Madam Speaker, although the member made a nice little speech prior to his question that I would like to comment on, I will respond to his question first. The hon. member is asking me if I will opt out of the pension plan because he sees it as a way of being responsible. There ar

The Budget  Madam Speaker, I would like to respond first to the statement the hon. member made about health. Many studies have shown now that the health care system is appropriately funded but that the health care system needs to be managed more efficiently. That is what we should be looking

The Budget  Madam Speaker, unlike the last speaker, I think it is a great honour for me to stand today and support the budget. I am very proud of its very bold and visionary approach to fiscal management. Throughout this budget the Minister of Finance had in effect courageously redefined Ca

Heart Month  Mr. Speaker, I remind members of the House that February is Heart Month. Heart disease and stroke are the number one killers in Canada of both men and women and together are responsible for the loss of 75,000 Canadian lives each year. In fact 40 per cent of all deaths in the cou

Random Acts Of Kindness  Mr. Speaker, did you know that today is the last day for random acts of kindness week? Ten years ago author Anne Herbert scribbled a phrase on her paper placemat: "Practise random kindness and acts of senseless beauty". Since then her message has become the slogan for people who

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has brought to the attention of the House a very tragic situation that is of great concern to the Ministry of Health and to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The situation of mental health and suicides as is pointed out in the

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, as is shown in the report, the issue is extraordinarily complex. It crosses a lot of boundaries. There are spiritual issues, housing issues, economic development issues and social issues. Issues that have gone on for a long time cannot be dealt with in one day. We w