Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 17 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 4, 2003
(24)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, at 3:38 p.m. in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Michael Kirby, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Fairbairn, P.C., Keon, Kirby, LeBreton, Léger, Morin, Roche and Rossiter (11).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Pépin (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Odette Madore and Howard Chodos.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 4, 2003, the committee continued its consideration of issues arising from, and developments since the tabling of its final report on the state of health care system in Canada in October 2002, in particular, issues concerning mental health and mental illness.
WITNESSES:
From the Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health:
Dr. David K. Conn, Co-Chair; President, Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry.
From the St. Joseph's Health Care London:
Maggie Gibson, Psychologist.
From the Alzheimer Society of Canada:
Steve Rudin, Executive Director.
From the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre:
Venera Bruto, Psychologist.
At 3:42 p.m., the Honourable Senator Cordy assumed the Chair.
David Conn, Steve Rudin, Maggie Gibson and Venera Bruto each made a presentation and answered questions.
At 5:52 p.m., the committee recessed.
At 5:55 p.m., the committee resumed and proceeded in camera pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the Honourable Senator Kirby having resumed the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., moved — That the committee adopt the following order of reference and that it be presented to the Senate.
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the infrastructure and governance of the public health system in Canada, as well as on Canada's ability to respond to public health emergencies arising from outbreaks of infectious disease. In particular, the Committee shall be authorized to examine and report on:
the state and governance of the public health infrastructure in Canada;
the roles and responsibilities of, and the coordination among, the various levels of government responsible for public health;
the monitoring, surveillance and scientific testing capacity of existing agencies;
the globalization of public health;
the adequacy of funding and resources for public health infrastructure in Canada;
the performance of public health infrastructure in selected countries;
the feasibility of establishing a national public health legislation or agency as a means for better coordination and integration and improved emergency responsiveness;
the Naylor Advisory Group Report and recommendations.
That the committee submits its report no later than 31 December 2003.
At 6:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 5, 2003
(25)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, at 11:04 a.m. in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Michael Kirby, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Keon, Kirby, LeBreton, Léger, Morin, Roche and Rossiter (10).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Odette Madore and Howard Chodos.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 4, 2003, the committee continued its consideration of issues arising from, and developments since the tabling of its final report on the state of health care system in Canada in October 2002, in particular, issues concerning mental health and mental illness.
WITNESSES:
From the University of Ottawa:
Tim D. Aubry, Associate Professor; Co-Director, Centre for Research and Community Services;
Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull, Chairman, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine.
From the Canadian Academy of Psychiatry and the Law:
Dr. Dominique Bourget, President.
As an individual:
J. Michael Grass, Past-Chair, Champlain District Mental Health Implementation Task Force.
Michael Grass, Dominique Bourget, Tim Aubry and Jeffrey Turnbull each made a presentation and answered questions.
At 12:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee