THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 3, 2024
(116)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 11:32 a.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, Dasko, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Pate, Petitclerc and Seidman (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators LaBoucane-Benson, Muggli, Quinn, Senior and Tannas (5).
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 continued its study of Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare.
WITNESSES:
Health Canada:
Michelle Boudreau, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch;
Daniel MacDonald, Director General, Office of Pharmaceuticals Management Strategies, Health Policy Branch.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-64.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
The chair asked whether clause 2 shall carry.
Michelle Boudreau and Daniel MacDonald were invited to the table. Michelle Boudreau answered questions from time to time for the remainder of the meeting.
After debate, it was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 6 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Osler moved that Bill C-64 be amended in clause 6, on page 4, by replacing line 5 with the following:
“vide universal, single-payer, publicly administered, first-dollar coverage — for”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.
At 12 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:04 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.
It was agreed that senators’ staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording of the in camera portion of today's meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members present or by the committee analysts; and that the audio recording be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
The committee discussed observations.
At 12:16 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:46 p.m., the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.
The committee further discussed observations.
It was agreed that observations be appended to the committee's report.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, in both official languages, taking into consideration today’s discussion and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-64, with observations, to the Senate, in both official languages.
At 12:57 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:57 p.m., the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Seidman moved that the Honourable Senator Rosemary Moodie be chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, effective November 5, 2024.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 12:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Emily Barrette
Clerk of the Committee