Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 13 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 20, 2005
(18)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 4:00 p.m., this day, in room 705 Victoria Building, the Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cochrane, Cook, Cordy, Fairbairn, P.C., Gill, Keon, Kirby, Pépin (8).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Dyck and Mercer (2).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Howard Chodos, Research Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division; Tim Riordan, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division and Nicole Pogue, Intern, Politic and Social Affairs Division.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee continued its examination on the state of the health care system in Canada, in particular issues concerning mental health and mental illness. (See Issue No. 1, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia:

Terry Bogyo, Director of Corporate Planning.

Canadian Medical Association:

Dr. Albert Schumacher, President;

Dr. Isra Levy, Chief Medical Officer and Director, Office for Public Health.

Canadian Psychiatric Association:

Dr. Blake Woodside, President.

Canadian Paediatric Society:

Dr. Diane Sacks, Past President.

Canadian Nurses Association:

Christine Davis, President, Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses.

Canadian Mental Health Association:

Penelope Marrett, Chief Executive Officer.

Canadian Psychological Association:

John Arnett, President.

Health Canada:

Ian Potter, Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch;

Kathryn Langlois, Director General, Community Programs Directorate, First nations and Inuit Branch.

Terry Bogyo made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:40 p.m., Dr. Sacks, Dr. Schumacher and Dr. Woodside each made a statement. Together the witnesses answered questions.

At 6:26 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 6:40 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.

Christine Davis, Penelope Marrett and John Arnett each made a statement. Together the witnesses answered questions.

At 8:00 p.m., Ian Potter made a statement. Together with Kathryn Langlois, the witnesses answered questions.

At 9:00 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, April 21, 2005
(19)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 10:45 a.m., this day, in Room 705 Victoria Building, the Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cochrane, Cook, Cordy, Gill, Keon, Kirby, LeBreton, Pépin (8).

In Attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Howard Chodos, Research Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division; Tim Riordan, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee continued its examination on the state of the health care system in Canada, in particular issues concerning mental health and mental illness (See Issue No. 1, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

Social Development Canada:

Cecilia Muir, Director General, Office of Disability Issues;

Georges Grujic, Director, Programs, Offices of Disability Issues.

Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health:

Phil Upshall, National Executive Director;

Dr. John Service, Chair.

National Aboriginal Health Organization:

Bernice Downey, Executive Director.

Health Department, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami:

Larry Gordon, Chairman, National Inuit Committee on Health.

Cecilia Muir made an opening statement. Together with Georges Grujic, the witnesses answered questions.

At 12:15 p.m., Larry Gordon, Bernice Downey, Phil Upshall and John Service each made a statement. Together, the witnesses answered questions.

At 1:29 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee