HESA Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 4

Thursday, October 28, 2004

The Standing Committee on Health met at 11:08 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, the Chair, Bonnie Brown, presiding.

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

Acting Members present: Paul Harold Macklin for Michael John Savage.

Associate Members present: Carol Skelton.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Sonya Norris, Analyst ; Marlisa Tiedemann, Analyst.

Appearing: Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health).

Witnesses: Public Health Agency of Canada: Dennis Brodie, Legislative and Regulatory Policy Adviser, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response; David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer. Department of Health: Mario Simard, General Counsel, Health Protection Legislative Renewal.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Steven John Fletcher moved, — That the Committee send for all minutes of Cabinet while Paul Martin was Minister of Finance that relate to the claim that Paul Martin suggested that the Canada Health Act be abolished or altered in any fashion; including a copy of all memos, emails, faxes (both incoming and outgoing) interdepartmental correspondence, consultation papers and all correspondence leading up to the 1995 Budget, starting with the 30-day period immediately preceeding the formal approval of the budget speech.

Debate arose thereon.

The Chair ruled the proposed motion inadmissible as it did not meet the 48 hour notice period required by the Committee.

The Chair asked for unanimous consent to consider the proposed motion. Unanimous consent was denied.

At 11:45 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:50 a.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

Rob Merrifield moved, — That the Committee report to the House, as soon as possible, its unanimous support for a motion on federal compensation for hepatitis C victims of tainted blood.

Debate arose thereon.

Bill Blaikie moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing in line 2, the article “a” with “the”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bill Blaikie and it was agreed to.

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

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Tuesday, October 26, 2004, the Committee commenced consideration of Bill C-12, An Act to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases.

The Chair called Clause 1.

The Minister and David Butler-Jones made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 1:07 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Carmen DePape
Clerk of the Committee

2004/11/01 6:12 p.m.