SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 233 - Oct/17/23

Ms. Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre, NDP)

Oct/17/23 1:35:38 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I certainly have respect for my colleague across the way, but with the Conservatives, much of the common sense plans are usually on the backs of the people who can least afford it, the people currently living in poverty. We know the Conservatives' plans for helping those with mental health and addictions issues. We know through research, and certainly in my riding, that under a Conservative government, we are seeing record numbers of overdoses right now. To me, it is not common sense to not listen to public health experts. I am wondering whether my hon. colleague agrees with me that part of having a common sense plan is to ensure having a plan to help people struggling with addictions that follows public health advice, which is to support safe supply and safe consumption.

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Context: House Hansard - 233 - Oct/17/23

Mr. John Aldag (Cloverdale—Langley City, Lib.)

Oct/17/23 2:57:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians want a strong health care system that allows them and their loved ones to get the care they need when they need it. Last week, the government signed the first bilateral funding agreement with British Columbia, investing more than $1.2 billion over the next three years to improve access to family health services, support our health workers and increase mental health and substance use support in B.C. Can the Minister of Health please update the House on how the recent agreement will help the health care system and impact the lives of British Columbians?

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Context: House Hansard - 233 - Oct/17/23

Hon. Mark Holland (Minister of Health, Lib.)

Oct/17/23 2:58:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Cloverdale—Langley City, who continues to be a champion for better health and for health transformation. He is absolutely right. Last week was a huge week for British Columbia and a huge week for Canada. We saw the investment of $1.2 billion in collaboration over the next three years, but that is part of a 10-year plan to help transform health care in B.C. and, indeed, across the country. It is going to mean reducing wait times. It is going to mean increasing support for health care workers. It is going to mean providing more support for mental health and substance abuse. It is also going to mean that people in B.C. would see in indicators exactly how their health system is getting better.

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Context: House Hansard - 233 - Oct/17/23

Mr. Gord Johns

Oct/17/23 6:33:15 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am glad the member talked about an integrated approach because the Portuguese model is a coordinated, integrated, compassionate model. Here in Canada, we do not have coordination. There are no resources. In fact, we are in a health crisis. I will say this: The Liberals' incremental approach costs lives in a health crisis. The disinformation from the Conservatives costs lives in a health crisis. What we need is action. We need a timeline to invest in harm reduction, treatment, recovery, prevention, education and a safer supply to replace the toxic street drugs. Where is the plan? Where is the timeline? Where is the compassion? When is this going to be a priority? When are they truly going to end the stigma? Do I have to keep coming back here every week to fight the same fight? When is the plan going to be tabled in this House of Commons? The families deserve it.

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Context: House Hansard - 233 - Oct/17/23

Mr. Darren Fisher

Oct/17/23 6:34:13 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I agree, and we do know that substance abuse is an extremely complex issue. Discrimination and trauma can place individuals at an increased risk for substance use harms. We are focused on improving the availability and accessibility of a range of services and supports as a means to address the overdose crisis. This complex issue calls for a comprehensive and integrated response, as I said and as the member acknowledged. People who are struggling need everyone at the table. They need everyone in the House of Commons, including the federal government, working with the provinces and territories on a system that includes health and mental health teams and services. This is a public health issue, not a criminal one, and it must be addressed that way alongside well-trained, monitored and resourced public safety components. I look forward to discussing the trip you took and learning a bit more about the model in Portugal.

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