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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
 
Meeting No. 44
 
Thursday, May 19, 2005
 

The Standing Committee on Health met at 11:04 a.m. this day, in Room 308 West Block, the Chair, Bonnie Brown, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Bonnie Brown, Colin Carrie, Hon. Brenda Chamberlain, Jean Crowder, Nicole Demers, Ruby Dhalla, Steven John Fletcher, James Lunney, Réal Ménard, Rob Merrifield, Michael John Savage and Hon. Robert Thibault.

 

Acting Members present: Carol Skelton for Steven John Fletcher.

 

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Nancy Miller Chenier, Analyst; Sonya Norris, Analyst.

 

Witnesses: As Individuals: Shiv Chopra; Margaret Haydon; Gérard Lambert; Alan Bernstein.

 
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, May 19, 2005, the Committee commenced its study on tobacco issues related to compliance with the Tobacco Act, cigarette smuggling and combating tobacco use.
 

Réal Ménard moved, — That the Standing Committee on Health recommends:

That Health Canada, together with the RCMP and the agencies responsible for enforcing the Acts concerned, initiate a campaign to ensure the compliance of the Tobacco Act and the Excise Act, 2001. The campaign must be carried out in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Akwesasne and Kanesatake from May to September 2005. Health Canada must report back to the federal Minister of Health by September 30, 2005, and the federal Minister of Health must table a progress report to the Standing Committee on Health by October 30.

That the federal Minister of Health and the public safety minister report to the House annually, on the status of cigarette smuggling in Canada.

That Health Canada, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, estimate the turning point for the tax rate on tobacco, with the double goal of combating tobacco use and increasing tax revenues. That this study be tabled jointly before the Standing Committee on Health and the Standing Committee on Finance by October 30, 2005.

And that the Committee report and make recommendations to the House of Commons.

 

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 1.

 
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, May 19, 2005, the Committee commenced its study on silicone gel-filled breast implants.
 

Nicole Demers moved, — That the Standing Committee on Health call for production of the papers and the minutes of proceeding from the meeting held March 22-23, 2005, between the Scientific Advisory Panel and Health Canada to discuss the review of six licensing applications for silicone gel-filled breast implants submitted by two manufacturers, Inamed Corporation and Mentor Corporation.

 

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

 
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to a briefing session on the circumstances around the firing of three Health Canada researchers.
 

Shiv Chopra made a statement and, with Margaret Haydon and Gérard Lambert, answered questions.

 
Pursuant to Standing Orders 110 and 111, the Committee commenced consideration of the certificate of nomination of Alan Bernstein to the position of President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research which was referred to the Committee on Friday, April 22, 2005.
 

Alan Bernstein made a statement and answered questions.

 

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 111(2), the Committee has examined the qualifications and competence of Dr. Alan Bernstein to the position as President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, as tabled in the House of Commons and referred to the Committee on Friday, April 22, 2005, and finds him competent to perform the duties to the position to which he has been nominated.

 

At 1:15 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 



Carmen DePape
Clerk of the Committee

 
 
2005/06/07 9:17 a.m.