THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, September 18, 2024
(110)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Brazeau, Burey, Cordy, Cormier, Dasko, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (12).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Boudreau, Cardozo, Kingston and Senior (4).

Participating in the meeting: Mayra Perez-Leclerc and Kelly Farrah, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the committee began its study of Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Mark Holland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health.

WITNESSES:

Health Canada:

Michelle Boudreau, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch;

Daniel MacDonald, Director General, Office of Pharmaceuticals Management Strategies, Health Policy Branch.

Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance:

Dominic Tan, Acting Chief Executive Officer (by videoconference).

Canada's Drug Agency:

Suzanne McGurn, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer:

Yves Giroux, Parliamentary Budget Officer;

Diarra Sourang, Director, Economic Analysis.

The Honourable Mark Holland made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:15 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:18 p.m., the committee resumed.

Suzanne McGurn, Dominic Tan and Yves Giroux each made a statement and, together with Diarra Sourang, answered questions.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Emily Barrette

Clerk of the Committee