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Libby highlights the Conservatives’ broken health care promises
Libby highlights the Conservatives’ broken health care promises
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House of Commons
HANSARD
March 31, 2014
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, today marks the last day of Canada’s health accord and the start of $36 billion in Conservative cuts to Canada’s health care system.
The Health Council of Canada, the only agency tracking government performance on health care, will be shut down today.
There will be less accountability for health spending for veterans, first nations and the commitments in the health accord, so how will slashing accountability and cutting federal investments improve health care for Canadians?
Hon. Rona Ambrose (Minister of Health, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear that the current framework for funding is not expiring. It continues on with a 6% escalator till 2017, and after 2017, of course, it’s tied to economic growth with a guarantee of a 3% escalator. That means that the Government of Canada will continue to provide record transfers for health care to the provinces and territories.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Really, Mr. Speaker.? Let us get serious and let us get past the doublespeak.
Eight years in power and Conservatives have failed on every single count. They failed to reduce wait times, failed to live up to their commitments on health care transfers and failed on key commitments from the accord on things like electronic health records, pharmacare, home care, the list goes on and on.
When will the government stop misleading Canadians, stop avoiding accountability and start working with the provinces to build a strong, stable and accessible public health care system in this country?
Hon. Rona Ambrose (Minister of Health, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, I would point out to the member that we do work closely with the provinces and territories. In terms of the current federal framework that is in place with the provinces and territories for funding health care, it continues in its current form, which is record levels of funding for transfers to the provinces and territories. After 2017, it is tied to economic growth, which we think is a sustainable formula. It is important for the provinces and territories. I can assure the member that I have been the Minister of Health now for ten months, and not one provincial health minister has asked me to renew the health accord in its current form. What they have asked for is funding predictability, and we have given them that.
Updates from Libby
Why are the Conservatives backing away from their wait times commitment?
Why are the Conservatives backing away from their wait times commitment?
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House of Commons
HANSARD
March 27, 2014
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, once, a long time ago, Conservatives promised Canadians a patient wait times guarantee. However, what Canadians got were longer wait times.
I do not usually quote it, but the Fraser Institute reported that wait times costs our economy over a billion dollars annually.
Why have Conservatives cut $250 million a year that was earmarked for the provinces to help reduce wait times?
Why are they giving up on ensuring timely access to medical care? Do they not care anymore?
Hon. Rona Ambrose (Minister of Health, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, what a lot of think tanks that deal with the issue of public health policy also say – and I know that has been quoted from the Fraser Institute – is that more money is not going to make a difference. When it comes to the inefficiencies in our health care system, we are investing record amounts of funding to the provinces and territories. We need to work with them on innovative ideas and better models of care, but more money is not going to make a difference.
Libby asks the Privacy Commissioner to review Health Canada’s decision to share medical marijuana users information with the police
Libby asks the Privacy Commissioner to review Health Canada’s decision to share medical marijuana users information with the police
Ms. Chantal Bernier
Interim Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, QC
K1A 1H3
March 19, 2014
Dear Ms. Bernier,
I am writing you about a serious threat to the privacy of Canadians participating in the Marijuana Medical Access Program, which is executed and overseen by Health Canada.
On March 14, 2014, Health Canada announced that “Recently, the Government of Canada amended the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations to require participants of the Marihuana Medical Access Program to provide written notice to Health Canada by April 30, 2014, stating that they no longer possess marijuana (dried marijuana, plants or seeds) obtained under the old program. Those that were authorized to grow marijuana must also attest that they have discontinued production. Participants are also required to confirm the amount of marijuana and number of plants destroyed, if any. If participants do not comply with the requirement to notify Health Canada, the Department will notify law enforcement. The Department will also continue to cooperate with police and provide information needed to protect public safety, as appropriate.”
This means that Health Canada will be sharing confidential personal and medical information, collected for the sole purpose of licensing persons to obtain medical marijuana, to law enforcement, an entity outside the program. This is contradictory to earlier statements made by Health Canada, who in a briefing note to BC Attorney General and Minister of Justice in September 2013, stated that ‘due to privacy concerns, [Health Canada] does not intend to disclose the addresses of former licensed grow operations once they are no longer permitted to legally grown marijuana’.
I would also draw your attention to the recent ruling by federal court Justice Michael Manson in the case of Allard et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, who granted an injunction against the provisions in the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations which would force medical marijuana users to buy marijuana from commercial growers. Justice Manson wrote that ‘this group will be irreparably harmed by the effects of the (new regulations)’ and ruled that they could continue to grow their own marijuana at home until a trial on the matter can be held.
I would ask that you look into this possible breach of privacy, so that the issue is investigated before Health Canada starts giving away confidential information to law enforcement on April 30, 2014. If you find that Health Canada is in breach of the Privacy Act, I would ask that you immediately inform them of their error.
Thank you for your attention to my letter, I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East
Libby asks the Privacy Commissioner to review Health Canada's decision to share medical marijuana users information with the police
Updates from Libby
Libby asks the Conservative government to invest in public health
Libby asks the Conservative government to invest in public health
House of Commons
HANSARD
March 25, 2014
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the minister’s assurances ring hollow as she cuts $32 million from the Public Health Agency and eliminates 500 employees across the country.
The Public Health Agency of Canada was set up to respond to national emergencies. Today’s possible Ebola case in Saskatchewan is a reminder of the serious illnesses that Canadians can face.
Given these deep cuts, how does the government plan to deal with public health emergencies in the future?
Hon. Rona Ambrose (Minister of Health, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the Public Health Agency of Canada is very well funded and very well equipped to manage any of the emerging public health emergencies that we have dealt with in the last number of years. Of course, it was our government that brought the Public Health Agency of Canada into existence. I ask the member not to, in any way, fear monger on the issue of Ebola, because we did confirm this morning that there is no Ebola virus in Saskatoon.
Libby asks the Conservative government to invest in public health
CONSERVATIVES UNDERMINING PUBLIC HEATLH CARE
CONSERVATIVES UNDERMINING PUBLIC HEATLH CARE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2014
OTTAWA – With the 2004 Health Care Accord set to expire in one week, New Democrats are pressing the Conservative government to show leadership and work with provinces and territories to improve our public health care system.
“The new funding formula that the Conservatives unilaterally adopted two years ago is threatening one of the most prized public services for Canadians,” said Health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver – East).
Instead of negotiating a new Health Accord, Conservatives are downloading heath care costs onto the provinces and turning their backs on a system that Canadians have relied on for generations. As a result, we will see increased disparities across the country—longer wait times, reduced-front-line services, and lack of access to home and long term care.
“This is simply unacceptable. The government has a responsibility to ensure quality health care for all of its citizens,” added Deputy critic Dany Morin (Chicoutimi – Le Fjord).