The Standing Committee on Health met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Joy Smith, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Patrick Brown, Colin Carrie, Patricia Davidson, Nicolas Dufour, Kirsty Duncan, Cathy McLeod, Joy Smith, Tim Uppal and Judy Wasylycia-Leis.
Acting Members present: Richard Nadeau for Luc Malo and Scott Simms for Joyce Murray.
In attendance: Library of Parliament: Sonya Norris, Analyst; Marlisa Tiedemann, Analyst; Karin Phillips, Analyst.
Witnesses: Public Health Agency of Canada: David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer; Theresa Tam, Director General, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Infectious Disease and Emergency Preparedness Branch; Jane Allain, General Counsel, Legal Services. McGill University: Greg Matlashewski, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Institut national de la recherche scientifique: Albert Descoteaux, Professor, Institut Armand-Frappier. Laval University: Marc Ouellette, Professor. McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health: Peter Singer, Director and Professor of Medicine, University Health Network and University of Toronto.
By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Health Committee should strike a sub-committee or have a conference to examine the burden of neurological disease in Canada; explore results of clinical trials and experimental technologies, which are yielding positive results here in Canada and internationally; and investigate the possibility of bringing successful therapies to Canada.
David Butler-Jones made an opening statement and, with Jane Allain and Theresa Tam, answered questions.
Albert Descoteaux, Marc Ouellette, Greg Mathalewski and Peter Singer made opening statements and answered questions.
At 5:18 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 5:20 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.
It was agreed, — That the Committee do proceed to the clause by clause study of Bill C-11, on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, provided that some letters of satisfaction on the proposed amendments to the Bill are received by Monday, March 30, 2009.
At 5:41 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Georges EtokaClerk of the Committee