SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 320

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 29, 2024 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 320 - May/29/24
Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:46:49 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the Dr. Kendall the member is referencing was part of the B.C. government, not the federal government, just to be clear. As I mentioned before, those meetings were held at ISED, I did not attend those meetings and was not privy to the discussions around the table.
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Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:47:09 p.m.
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Madam Chair, 12 meetings in two years. Four in-person meetings with this heroin company and the former minister. This new incoming minister must have been briefed on the nature of this close relationship and what was being discussed. For a final time, why is the government meeting 12 times in two years with this heroin company? What is being discussed? What is Fair Price Pharma asking for?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:47:35 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the member across the way knows perfectly well the meetings were held at ISED. The member also knows I have not met with Fair Price Pharma. The member also knows my predecessor did meet with Fair Price Pharma. That being said, what I do know is across the way they do not listen to many of the experts we need to listen to, including Moms Stop the Harm. I would love to know why the Leader of the Opposition refuses to meet with families who know what they need in their communities. We will meet with everyone. Why do the Conservatives not do that?
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Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:48:09 p.m.
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Madam Chair, a lot of people want to hide their meetings with drug dealers, but I would have expected better from this minister. What is the purpose of these 12 meetings with this corporate drug dealer?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:48:22 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I have answered this question already. He can keep asking it, but we will speak to all experts on what matters, and most importantly, to save lives; all tools and resources.
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Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:48:38 p.m.
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Madam Chair, is the Government of Canada party to any contracts or agreements involving Fair Price Pharma?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:48:46 p.m.
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Madam Chair, no.
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Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:48:53 p.m.
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Madam Chair, will the minister demonstrate her point either way by releasing all contracts involved in safe supply?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:49:03 p.m.
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Madam Chair, pharmaceutical contracts are the purview of the provinces in terms of prescribed alternatives.
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Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:49:13 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we put forward a motion at the government operations committee asking for any contracts to which the federal government is a party. The Liberals have been filibustering to block the release of those contracts. If no contracts existed, I suspect Liberals would not be motivated to filibuster to block their release. Will the minister agree to release any contracts to which the federal government is a party, involving these drug programs?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:49:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, federal funding toward prescribed alternative programs goes to the operations of the programs themselves. As I have said, contracts with pharmaceutical companies for prescribed medications are between the province and those pharmaceutical companies. We support the implementation of programs.
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Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:50:00 p.m.
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Madam Chair, there have been 12 meetings with a heroin-selling company. The government is refusing to release contracts involving the Government of Canada and corporate drug dealers. Why will the minister not tell us what was discussed in those meetings, and why is the minister sitting on these contracts?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:50:18 p.m.
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Madam Chair, as I have stated, but I will repeat for the benefit of the committee, contracts such as these are between provinces and these companies.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country, CPC)
  • May/29/24 9:50:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, my questions are for the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. The minister's department approved an open drug use policy in public places, including parks and playgrounds in British Columbia, in 2023. Does the minister believe children seeing drug usage normalizes drug usage for children?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks (Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Lib.)
  • May/29/24 9:50:56 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we are committed to a compassionate approach to this public health crisis that is clearly anchored in public safety as well, but we need to understand that those who use drugs need to be directed to health care. Families and communities have a right to be safe wherever they are, parks—
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The Deputy Chair
  • May/29/24 9:51:14 p.m.
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The hon. member for Kelowna—Lake Country.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:51:17 p.m.
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Madam Chair, does the minister believe illicit drug supplies left in parks and playgrounds increases the risk of accidental overdoses of minors?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:51:26 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we are moving through this public health crisis with a strict lens on public safety and public health, and we will work with jurisdictions.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:51:36 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the minister has confirmed tonight that the leading cause of death of children and teens, sadly, in British Columbia in 2023 is illicit drug toxicity, correct?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:51:49 p.m.
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Madam Chair, yes, the toxic drug supply is costing us many lives in many communities, and it is absolutely tragic.
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