Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep sadness to advise the House that Constable Marc Pinizzotto of the Toronto Police Service emergency task force was killed in the line of duty. For 18 years, Constable Pinizzotto served with courage and commitment, putting himself in harm's way to make Toronto a safer place. Constable Pinizzotto was doing what police officers do every day, and these tragedies remi…
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Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue. We have worked on many fronts to address many issues in this respect, and I look forward to working with the member as well. Through budget 2025, we have made investments in health research through CIHR, and we will continue to do that.
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Mr. Speaker, it was 47 years ago that The Log Driver's Waltz was first screened and won a best animated film award at an international film festival in France. The Log Driver's Waltz is a Canadian folk song originally written by Wade Hemsworth and performed by The Mountain City Four. Most of us will instantly associate the tune with the iconic vignette of the timeless tale of a young girl, who, to…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians can see how the Conservatives are behaving in the House and in committee with them filibustering important motions, like studying the HIV public health crisis in Manitoba. We can see the difference, and I think Canadians can, too.
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Mr. Speaker, as the Conservatives farm outrage, we are working hard on behalf of Canadians. I am glad that member brought it up. That party has spent over 20 hours obstructing a Liberal motion to study HIV in Manitoba. How can they claim they care about Canadians' health when they block motions like that? I think Canadians can see the difference.
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Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the minister has answered this question many times in question period and many times during committee work. We have been very open and transparent. Infoway has dismissed the CEO. We supported that decision. We are also reviewing the Infoway mandate to make sure it aligns with opening up health data for Canadians. The funding decision will be made after the review.
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Mr. Speaker, the allegations against the previous vendor for the vaccine injury program were absolutely unacceptable. That is why we made the administration of the program internal, to ensure money is spent appropriately. We have directed the Public Health Agency to alter the program to ensure all our dollars are spent correctly, and we look forward to working with members across the House to make…
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C-265. I want to first thank my good friend, the member for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, for bringing forward this important bill and legislation. As many members know, he brings a unique perspective to the House as a physician. The ideas reflected in the bill are grounded not only in his own experience caring for patients but also in conversati…
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Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservatives would rather obstruct the health committee and block our motion to study the public health emergency in the member's home province of Manitoba than help Canadians. The member opposite claims we are blocking the work of committee. This is quite rich, considering that a Conservative committee member was filibustering by making a speech about the Magna Carta…
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Mr. Speaker, our government did the responsible thing by announcing the end of the federal funding for PrescribeIT because the plan was always for the provinces and territories to pay their own way once we got the system up and running. Since we made that decision, we have already seen the Province of Quebec come to the table and sign an agreement to pay to use PrescribeIT across pharmacies in Que…
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Mr. Speaker, as the minister has stated, any future funding must align with Canada Health Infoway's mandate and deliver value for Canadians. That means supporting the modernization of Canada's health care system and improving how health information is shared across the country. Our government will remain focused on making sure Canadians have access to a modern, connected health care system that wo…
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Mr. Speaker, I do want to remind folks again that the member opposite continued to obstruct our health committee on the very important study on HIV in Manitoba, the member's colleague's own province. He openly stated that he did not believe that we can take any action as parliamentarians to help Manitobans. That is, frankly, just disgraceful. It is shameful. On this side of the House, we will alwa…
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Madam Speaker, my friend and colleague across the aisle works extremely hard, and I really enjoy our conversations about health in the House. Vaping, especially among youth, is a very serious public health issue, and we need to make sure that the vaping industry is not exploiting grey areas that make it easier for Canadian youth to get hooked. We will continue to work to prevent youth vaping, whic…
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Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Italian Heritage Month, I rise to recognize the remarkable contributions of the Galati family in my riding of Don Valley North. The Galati Market Fresh grocer has served our community for more than 25 years. Founded by brothers Tony and Francesco Galati in 1958, this family-run grocer, built by Italian immigrants from Calabria, has grown into a beloved local institut…
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Madam Speaker, the vaccine injury support program was created to support vulnerable Canadians, and starting in April, the Public Health Agency of Canada started administrating the program to ensure that it delivers for Canadians who need it, while ensuring taxpayers' dollars are being spent appropriately. I look forward to working with that member on issues that impact her constituents.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague and good friend from Courtenay— Alberni for raising this important issue. Our government remains committed to ensuring that the Canadian dental care plan continues to deliver for Canadians. More than four million Canadians have already received care through the CDCP, and more than seven million Canadians are currently eligible for the program. We will continu…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member, my good friend from Courtenay—Alberni, for his very important question. As the member mentioned, the Canadian dental care plan is the most transformative social program in a generation. More than seven million Canadians are now eligible for the CDCP, and more than four million Canadians have received dental services from the plan. During the most recent renewal per…
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Madam Speaker, Canadians expect us to approach issues like this with a focus on outcomes. The reality is that PrescribeIT was created to help modernize the way health information is shared and to reduce reliance on outdated systems. Like many large-scale digital health initiatives, there were challenges, lessons learned and important questions about long-term sustainability. Our government made a …
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this topic, and I welcome the chance to put some facts on the record, so let us look at the facts. The fact is that PrescribeIT was launched by the previous government in 2017 after extensive consultation with provinces and territories. To create the program, the previous government worked with Canada Health Infoway, an organization t…
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Mr. Speaker, I will reiterate that the program was intended for pharmacies and clinicians to do e-prescribing. After consultation with and requests from provinces and territories, when it became clear that the uptake was not there, our new government decided to end the funding to the program and redirect resources to make sure that it benefits all Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada's new government was elected with a clear mandate to ensure that programs and policies are delivered smarter, faster and more effectively for all Canadians. We are refocusing our spending and Canada Health Infoway's mandate so we can support the development of national health data standards while allowing our health sector partners to deliver solutions that work for all Canadia…
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Mr. Speaker, PrescribeIT was launched by the previous government in 2017 in consultation with provinces and territories. The program was always intended to become self-funded over time. When it became clear that it was not having the expected uptake and there was no path toward financial sustainability, our new government made the responsible decision to end funding to the program and redirect res…
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Madam Speaker, Canada's new government was elected with a clear mandate to ensure programs and policies deliver smarter, faster and more effectively for all Canadians. We are refocusing our spending and Canada Health Infoway's mandate so we can support the development of national health data standards while allowing our health sector partners to develop solutions that work for all patients.
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Madam Speaker, PrescribeIT was launched by the previous government in 2017 following consultations with provinces and territories. The program was always intended to be self-funded over time. When it became clear that it did not have the expected uptake and there was no path toward financial sustainability, Canada's new government made the responsible decision to end federal funding for the progra…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's very important question. Of course, our hearts go out to families who are impacted by this very sad public health crisis. That is why our government believes we must use every tool possible in our tool box to protect the public health and public safety of Canadians. We have expanded treatment. We are supporting community-based prevention, and we are working…
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Mr. Speaker, the interim federal health program provides temporary limited coverage until beneficiaries are eligible for a comparable provincial or territorial health insurance. It is a bridge, not a substitute, and it does not determine placement on health care wait-lists, which are managed from provinces and territories based on medical needs. Without that bridge, vulnerable individuals may dela…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear that it is never an inconvenience but always an honour to come to the House and debate important issues. I am never dragged here, because it is also my honour to debate important issues and work on behalf of all Canadians for the betterment of their health with the member opposite. Our government remains committed to building Canada strong by investing in …
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important work of the National Association of Career Colleges and its member institutions. Career colleges are an important part of Canada's workforce strategy, delivering practical, hands-on training for jobs in high-demand sectors. Across the country, demand is growing for skilled workers in fields such as health care, skilled trades and technology. Car…
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Mr. Speaker, my friend the member for Courtenay—Alberni has long been a strong advocate for better health outcomes in his community and across Canada, and I am honoured and fortunate to work with him in the House for the betterment of Canadian health outcomes. Those outcomes are possible thanks to our investments in health care, just as yesterday's spring economic statement was our government's ne…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians rightly expect public programs to be fair, responsible and sustainable. They expect that when people are seeking protection in Canada but are not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance, the government manages that transition in a way that protects public health while maintaining the integrity of our health care system. That is the role of the interim federal…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I both work on the health committee, and I respect her work on health issues and also on this topic. As the member knows, PrescribeIT was developed and introduced under the previous government at a request of the provinces and territories. Unfortunately the uptake was not high enough, so our new government has decided to end the program. At the same time, we have intr…
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Mr. Speaker, as I have said, PrescribeIT was introduced in the last Parliament, under the last government, at the request of provinces and territories. Unfortunately, the uptake was not high. There were a lot of lessons learned. We continue to collaborate with the provinces and territories on a path forward. At the same time, we will support provinces and territories on their digital solutions wit…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to respond to the important issue raised by my friend and colleague, the hon. member for Courtenay—Alberni. Let me start by being absolutely clear about what the government has said publicly and consistently. The Prime Minister has stated repeatedly, in the House and outside it, that projects should move forward with the agreement of the impacted jurisdict…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question raised by the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands regarding Canada's commitment to international assistance. This is an important issue that speaks directly to Canada's values and our role within the global community. In this vein, I want to acknowledge the deep commitments of international development organizations and their frontline workers who advance peace, …
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Mr. Speaker, the question before us is not whether trust matters. It does. There has been no proposal submitted before regulators so far. Any path forward must respect the rights of indigenous peoples. The Prime Minister has said this plainly, and ministers have repeated it in the House and in committee. Engagement is ongoing, not finished. Robust consultations with rights holders will be undertak…
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Mr. Speaker, continued commitment to international assistance is important, but commitment alone is not enough. Global challenges are increasingly complex, from pandemic conflicts and climate change to shifting geopolitical dynamics. Budget 2025 reduces international assistance by $2.7 billion over four years, making it even more important that every dollar is strategic, effective and results-driv…
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Mr. Speaker, our government will always protect the Canada Health Act and Canada's universal health care system. That is why, with budget 2025, our government is investing in our publicly funded health care system, including a generational investment of $5 billion to build health care infrastructure. We are collaborating with our provincial and territorial partners to ensure all Canadians have equ…
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to express our government's support for Bill S-201, which seeks to establish a national framework to support Canadians with sickle cell disease. I want to express my sincere thanks to Senator Ince and Senator Mégie for their hard work in the Senate and for their advocacy. I want to also thank my dear friend, the hon. member for Scarborough—Woburn, for all hi…
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Mr. Speaker, supporting the health of men and boys means stronger families, stronger community and a stronger Canada. That is why the Minister of Health has launched consultation for Canada's first-ever national conversation on men and boys' health. We want to hear directly from Canadians about the challenges men and boys face, and the solutions that could improve lives. I encourage colleagues acr…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her question. We both sit on the Standing Committee on Health, and we work very collaboratively. I appreciate her passion and her work on this issue. We have spent a lot of time talking about this issue and trying to figure out best solutions and a path forward. I think the member will agree that there is a multitude of causes, and it requires a multit…
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Mr. Speaker, we understand and recognize this is a major challenge facing Canada, which is why we are using every option at our disposal to deal with this issue. It requires a multitude of solutions and measures, including law enforcement, prevention, as my colleague has mentioned, treatment and community supports that could support folks in recovery as well. We are already seeing that drug-relate…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his advocacy on behalf of Canadians with disabilities. I respect his work on this as he works tirelessly. I look forward to working with him on this. I appreciate the opportunity to remind colleagues that we are working to support persons with disabilities struggling with a higher cost of living. The Canada disability benefit is one part of a system of …
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague from Kitchener South—Hespeler for his question. Although he has temporarily crossed the floor, I hope it is more permanent than this. It is nice to have a friend sitting right beside us during adjournment debate. As members know, sometimes it can be a bit lonely during adjournment debate, so I appreciate the companionship. I think my colleague m…
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Mr. Speaker, the facts are clear. PrescribeIT was launched by the previous government with the goal of building a national e-prescribing system. While this is an important goal, the fact is that PrescribeIT did not have the pickup among doctors and pharmacies that it needed to make the system self-sustaining. At a time when we need to spend less and invest more, our government decided to end the f…
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Mr. Speaker, we know that the problems with the Phoenix pay system have had lasting consequences for public servants and their families. Public Services and Procurement Canada has strengthened its ability to deal with compensation issues accurately and in a timely fashion. Much progress has been made, but some public servants continue to face pay issues. This is unacceptable. From hiring and train…
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Mr. Speaker, I share the hon. member's concern on this issue and welcome further discussion of the outgoing Phoenix pay system and its effects on Canada's public sector workers. Our hard-working public servants are dedicated to serving Canadians. Every day they strive to deliver a broad range of programs and services that make a positive difference in communities across the country. I want to be c…
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Mr. Speaker, the member for Courtenay—Alberni correctly notes that provinces already determine eligibility for their respective programs, including those based on disability. He is asking why the minister will not accept provincial approval to reduce barriers to obtaining the disability tax credit. It is not about red tape. The Canada disability benefit provides up to $2,400 per year to low-income…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this occasion to advise the House that, for the eighth consecutive year, North York General Hospital, in my riding of Don Valley North, has been Canada's top-ranked community academic hospital. It was also ranked the fourth-leading hospital in Canada. Going from strength to strength, North York General ranked in the top 3% of hospitals from around the world. This …
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Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague across the aisle, but the Conservatives are demonstrating classic obstructionist behaviour from committee. We have seen this. They are distracting from the real work we are doing to improve health care across the country. Let us set the record straight. The Conservatives voted against health care. They voted against dental care. Most rec…
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Mr. Speaker, the hon. member works really tirelessly for his community, and I respect him a lot for that. The Canadian dental care plan has enabled 6 million Canadians to access affordable dental care and saved families $800 a year. I look forward to working with him to resolve any outstanding issues that he has brought up.
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