HESA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Health met in camera at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Joy Smith, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 86,745, for the Committee’s travel to Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on May 24-26, 2009 be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Health, at the first opportunity, devote one meeting to a review of government funding of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Initiative.

It was agreed, — That the Committee recommend to the Minister that Public Health Agency of Canada request the Council of Canadian Academies, working with the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Canadian Academy of Engineering to conduct a study to evaluate whether Canada is prepared for bioterrorism, with special emphasis on next generation threats and the web of protection and that this study also evaluate the appropriate approach to level 2 pathogens.

It was agreed, — That, as a follow-up of the Thursday, March 26, 2009 Committee's decision, a subcommittee be created to examine the burden of neurological disease in Canada; explore results of clinical trials and experimental technologies, which are yielding positive results here in Canada and internationally; and investigate the possibility of bringing successful therapies to Canada and that the Subcommittee be composed of at least one member of each party, following the usual consultations with the Whips.

It was agreed, — That the Main Estimates be studied on May 12 and May 14, 2009, with the Minister of Health appearing on May 14, 2009.

It was agreed, — That the health human resources study be extended until the Fall of 2009.

At 5:10 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.