Kevin Lamoureux

S-5 Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise and speak to Billtoday. If we take a look at information nowadays, it has never been easier to access. It has become critically important that when we take a look at our health care system, we look at ways in which we can improve upon it. I want to reflect on some of the days, going as far back as when I was the health care critic in the province of [more]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to five petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

Mr. Speaker, again, I am going to recognize that what we are talking about is doctors, hospitals, institutions and pharmacists, all of which have records. Some provinces are much further advanced than other provinces. I think of the province of Ontario or of Quebec compared to my home province. Having legislation of this nature is ultimately in the best interest of all patients in all regions of [more]

Mr. Speaker, the member, in posing the questions, highlighted something I had indicated. If everyone would do exactly what she did with respect to her question, which is to put the patient first and look at it through that lens, I suspect that the debate would be well served not only on the floor of the House of Commons but also in committee. I can assure the member that it does not matter what [more]

Mr. Speaker, I am really encouraged by a number of the words the member has put on the record. I want to pick up on the point about saving lives. The legislation would do more than just save lives. It would also improve many people's current health conditions. Could the member expand on that point too?

Madam Speaker, I have a fairly straightforward question. I hope we get the same sort of an answer. The member talked originally about the principle of the legislation being something he appreciated. Then, when he answered my question, at the tail end he planted the seed of doubt as to whether the Conservatives would want to see the legislation go to committee. Can the member indicate whether the [more]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recognize that health information technology is all about the patient. For many years, we talked about information from patients and how it contributes to the betterment of health conditions. This legislation would actually save lives. It would improve the conditions. I am wondering if the member can provide her thoughts on the principle of the [more]

S-5 Minister of Health Mr. Speaker, I genuinely believe that Bill, and what thetalked about when she introduced the legislation, is all about the patients. It is all about delivering for patients. It recognizes that health information technology has to play a critical role. I agree with the member that there has to be a high sense of co-operation. Passing the legislation would not necessarily [more]

S-5 Mr. Speaker, I wanted to pick up on one of the member's comments on the whole idea of technology, because I really do agree with it. We have to ensure that technology works for people and not the reverse, in terms of having access. I will get the opportunity to expand upon that shortly, but I wanted to amplify just how important it is, in recognizing Bill, that the primary focus is on [more]

Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, there is a long story with respect to health care transfers. We could go back many decades to when the provinces and the federal government made the decision that they wanted some change in tax points to the provinces in favour of having direct cash going to them. I was never a big fan of that. I believe that the federal government needs to not only have a strong, [more]

Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, the simple reason is that often data blocking is not done in the interests of the patient but in the interests of some vendor that has a vested interest, and often that vested interest is driven by money. Whether it is theor any member of the Liberal caucus, what we are saying is that we need to put the patient first. If we put the patient first, we will have a better, [more]

Madam Speaker, I believe it is important that we advance the legislation. Back in the nineties, I was the health care critic in the province of Manitoba. Even back then, we were talking about having better access and about patients being able to see their records. I see the legislation as modernizing something that is long overdue. It is in the patient's best interest. Could my colleague provide [more]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate that the member clearly indicated that how health information technology is handled is absolutely critical and that he supports the principle of the legislation. I am encouraged by that. In terms of the whole mismanagement area, it was the Harper government that brought in Phoenix. There is no escaping that. In other words, there are ways in which, no doubt, we can [more]

Madam Speaker, I would not suggest that Parliament has to follow polls. I would suggest that it is imperative, when we talk about an issue like this, that we ensure that we represent the different sides. It should not be all one-sided. For example, I posed a question to one of his colleagues and the remark was that the majority of all the people who contacted that member do not like it, or [more]

Madam Speaker, there are mixed emotions when approaching this particular debate because it is very much an emotional type of debate. I have had the opportunity to witness it first-hand for many years. In fact, when I look at its origins, I go back to just prior to the 2015 election, when a Supreme Court of Canada decision was made that ultimately put it on the agenda after Justin Trudeau was [more]

minister Madam Speaker, I know the member has been a very strong leader on the whole debate around MAID for a number of years, and I have appreciated his contributions, as theexpressed to me his appreciation of the member's comments. I know he gives a lot of thought to it. I would encourage the member to take advantage of what he brings to this Parliament on the issue. The depth of his knowledge [more]

Madam Speaker, I want to address the issue of courts and of public discussion and debates that have taken place over the years. I remember, from the early 1990s, the late Sue Rodriguez and what she ultimately had to go through. Her case went all the way to the Supreme Court. I believe it was a split decision, 5-4 or something of that nature, and she lost. The point is that we have been debating [more]