Joy Smith - 15:55
Lib. (BC)
...More
Thank you very much Madam Chair.
Thank you, Madam Minister, for being here.
I have five or six questions. I'm sure I won't finish the 15 minutes, and my colleagues can share the time with me.
Minister, at the end of your remarks you raised the issue of the statutory review. The question I have is, if you're so inclined now that this committee should do the review, what was the intent and motivation behind sending it to the Senate in the first place?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:56
Lib. (BC)
...More
And did you think this committee wasn't capable of doing as good a job or better?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:57
Lib. (BC)
...More
I understand that. Please answer the question.
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:57
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:57
Lib. (BC)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:57
Lib. (BC)
...More
Yes, I understand that, but please answer the question. Did you think this committee wasn't capable of doing that job at that time? Have you changed your mind now?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:57
Lib. (BC)
...More
Now, in the budget it specifically mentions that the government is providing a 6% increase to the health transfers. Can you confirm that is the increase that's embedded in the 2004 accord, that the 6% you are providing is nothing more than what was agreed to between the Prime Minister and the premiers in 2004?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:58
Lib. (BC)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:58
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:58
Lib. (BC)
...More
Thank you very much.
I'm trying to save time. I'm asking very brief questions.
Now, I see that there is no money in the budget anywhere that is dedicated to the commencement of a national pharmacare plan or a national pharmaceutical strategy. You know, Minister, that in the 2004 accord there is a specific provision, which is titled “national pharmaceutical strategy”. It talks about cost options for catastrophic coverage, a common national drug formulary, access to break-through drugs, and many other things. Have there been any discussions since you took over as Minister of Health on that portion of the accord with any of the governments in Canada?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 15:59
Lib. (BC)
...More
Have you ever discussed with the ministers of health the establishment of a common national drug formulary, as was envisioned in the accord, and when was that?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 16:00
Lib. (BC)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 16:01
Lib. (BC)
...More
And those conversations were based on the national pharmaceutical strategy, with the intention of providing the kind of coverage it talks about, or were they just isolated discussions?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 16:01
Lib. (BC)
...More
At what meeting of the ministers did that discussion take place?
...Less
Joy Smith - 16:01
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 16:01
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 16:01
Lib. (BC)
...More
—did specifically discuss the national pharmaceutical strategy?
...Less
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq - 16:01