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

Issue 20 - Minutes of Proceedings

VANCOUVER, Wednesday, June 8, 2005
(37)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 9 a.m., this day, in the Mackenzie 2 room of the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, the Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Gill, Kirby, Pépin and Trenholme Counsell (7).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C. (1).

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:

Simon Fraser University:

Charmaine Spencer, Gerontology Research Centre and Department of Gerontology.

Vancouver General Hospital:

Dr. Martha Donnelly, Head, Division of Community Geriatrics.

British Columbia Psychogeriatric Association:

Penny MacCourt.

Vancouver Coastal Health Association:

Robena Sirett, Manager, Older Persons Adult Mental Health Services.

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health:

Jennifer Barr, Education and Publishing Consultant;

Margaret Flower, Clinical Counsellor.

Older Persons Mental Health and Addictions Network of Ontario:

Suzanne Crawford, Program Manager.

Canadian Coalition for Senior's Mental Health:

Faith Malach, Executive Director.

Providence Health Care:

Dr. Elizabeth J. Drance, Geriatric Psychiatrist; Physician Program Director for Elder Care.

Vancouver Island Health Authority:

Ken Moselle, Manager, Performance Standards and Monitoring, Mental Health and Addiction Services.

In a round table format, each witness made a statement and a discussion followed.

At 10:30 a.m. the committee suspended its sitting.

At 10:45 a.m. the committee resumed its sitting.

The committee continued with its roundtable format.

At 12:22 p.m. the committee suspended its sitting for lunch.

At 1:12 p.m. the committee resumed its sitting and the discussion with the witnesses continued.

At 2:55 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee