THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 2, 2024
(115)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:21 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, Dasko, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Pate, Petitclerc and Seidman (11).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators LaBoucane-Benson, McBean, Miville-Dechêne and Senior (4).

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

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

WITNESSES:

Innovative Medicines Canada:

Bettina Hamelin, President;

Declan Hamill, Vice-President, Policy, Regulatory and Legal Affairs.

Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association:

Jim Keon, President;

Jody Cox, Vice-President, Federal and International Affairs.

Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association:

Stephen Frank, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce:

Liam MacDonald, Director, Policy and Government Relations;

Kathy Megyery, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Quebec.

Canadian Labour Congress:

Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President;

Elizabeth Kwan, Senior Researcher.

Bettina Hamelin and Jim Keon each made a statement and, together with Declan Hamill and Jody Cox, answered questions.

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

At 5:22 p.m., the committee resumed.

Stephen Frank, Kathy Megyery and Siobhán Vipond each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:13 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Emily Barrette

Clerk of the Committee