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Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont, BQ) moved:
With a view to changing this unacceptable situation, I introduced a
motion one year ago in favour of the legalization of marijuana for health
and medical purposes. For me, this is a matter of compassion toward
sick people suffering from nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and other
major discomforts which accompany a number of chronic diseases.
In this connection, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is totally devoid of understanding and compassion toward the chronically ill, who want nothing more than to live in dignity. This act must be changed as soon as
possible, in order to allow the medical use of marijuana by those who need it.The Ontario court has already found part of the Narcotic Control Act to be unconstitutional. Clearly, the ball is now in our court here in the House of Commons.
Yesterday, it was the usual scenario. On the eve of the first day of debate on the motion that marijuana be legalized for medical purposes, the Minister of Health suddenly feels a need to demonstrate compassion towards the chronically ill.
Ms. Elinor Caplan (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Health,
Lib.):
We would also be sure to develop appropriate clinical guidelines to
make sure that it was used appropriately. It would allow us to respond
in a sensitive and compassionate way to those who are terminally
ill, who are suffering and are coping with symptoms where the anecdotal
evidence would suggest that medical marijuana might be helpful to them.
We want to find solutions for Canadians who are suffering. We want to help
Canadians. We want to do it in a way that is appropriate.
The government cares and has compassion for Canadians who are
suffering from serious illnesses. For this reason our plan will include
access to a safe quality supply of marijuana. We do not want Canadians
to gamble with their health in using drugs of unknown quality and drugs
which may in fact do more harm. As well, its distribution would need to
comply with the requirements of the food and drugs act and regulations
to ensure product safety, efficacy and quality.
Mr. Gurmant Grewal (Surrey Central, Ref.):
I have only recently undertaken the role of the official opposition's
deputy critic for health. My constituents and my colleagues are proud to
have me speak to Motion No. 381 and express our compassion for the
predicament faced by those Canadians suffering from the diseases and conditions
that cause them to turn in desperation to marijuana to ease their symptoms.
Looking through the lens of compassion, my efforts on this issue are dedicated first and foremost toward the thousands of Canadians who are desperately seeking medicinal therapy for various illnesses.
In conclusion, I would say what is important to me is compassion. If nothing else works for the diseases and
suffering, I do not see anything as a barrier.
Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North Centre, NDP):
Members of the Reform Party have presented different positions to us
and they are certainly going through a great deal of soul searching about
where they stand on this issue. There are broader issues to be addressed.
I think for today it is important for all of us to say that we must address
this issue from the point of view of compassion and we must do it
on the basis of a great deal of urgency.
Mr. Greg Thompson (New Brunswick Southwest, PC):
Madam Speaker, the debate today really centres around the word compassion.
I want to read the motion so that the viewing audience has a chance to
hear it once again: That, in the opinion of this House, the government
should undertake all necessary steps to legalize the use of marijuana for
health and medical purposes. Those are the key words, health and medical
purposes. We are talking about a compassionate use of a substance
which is illegal.
Mrs. Sue Barnes (London West, Lib.):
It is a welcome step what we are doing. We need solid research efforts
to commence soon. We also need to help set up a system so that those on
trials are not open to criminal harassment. It is a matter of compassion.
It is not fair to these people who have to fight both their disease and
the law at the same time.
Mrs. Pauline Picard (Drummond, BQ):
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take part in today's debate on the use
of marijuana for health purposes. This is a health debate, a justice debate,
based on the values of fairness,mutual aid and compassion that we
all share as a society.
Mr. Bernard Patry (Pierrefonds Dollard, Lib.):
Despite all that medicine
has done to understand the human being and try to stave off death as long
as possible, it seems that compassion for human suffering sometimes
falls short. Demonstrating compassion towards the sick is also the role
of politicians and that is why I support any legislative measure to provide
controlled access to the therapeutic and medical use of marijuana.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
We have to be very clear that the Minister of Health has the discretion
and the power today. He had it last year and the year before that but he
has it today to approve applications on compassionate grounds for
the medical use of marijuana. There are applications before him.
Mr. Maurice Dumas (Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel, BQ):
This is an issue of compassion. The chairwoman of the board of
the Vancouver Compassion Club, an organization with a membership of over
700 individuals, also supported the motion. She signed the postcard sent
to federal parliamentarians, asking them to support the motion to legalize
the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The club is a non-profit organization
which has been providing safe and high quality marijuana since 1996 to
seriously ill individuals.
Mrs. Christiane Gagnon (Qu*bec, BQ):
This is also a matter of compassion towards those who suffer
from nausea, vomiting and other symptoms that often accompany chronic illnesses
or are side effects of their treatments. Thousands of patients affected
by cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other illnesses reported
considerable relief from smoking marijuana.
Ms. Diane St-Jacques (Shefford, PC):
As my colleague from New Brunswick Southwest said, this issue must be
addressed from a compassionate point of view. We must keep an open
mind and show compassion throughout this debate.
Mr. Keith Martin (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, Ref.):
We do not know if the effects of marijuana consumed under those conditions
are due to a medical or therapeutic effect due to the intrinsic pharmaceutical
property of marijuana or whether this is a placebo effect. As a physician,
I personally do not care. In my view, if somebody is dying they should
be able to participate in whatever it takes to relieve their suffering
as long as it does not hurt anybody else.
Mr. Maurice Dumas (Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel, BQ):
This is an issue of compassion. The chairwoman of the board of
the Vancouver Compassion Club, an organization with a membership of over
700 individuals, also supported the motion. She signed the postcard sent
to federal parliamentarians, asking them to support the motion to legalize
the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The club is a non-profit organization
which has been providing safe and high quality marijuana since 1996 to
seriously ill individuals.
Mr. Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Musquodoboit Valley-Eastern Shore, NDP):
I do not think any one in the House could actually dictate to people
who are seriously ill, who have AIDS and other ailments of that nature,
what they should and should not do to feel better. Yes, we have to put
precautions in place. Yes, we have to make sure that the safeguard of all
Canadians, especially when it comes to their health, is paramount in any
decisions that the House makes or in any recommendations from individuals.
However, we have to take ourselves out of our suits once in a while and
place ourselves in the position of those people who are severely disabled
through various diseases, especially, for example, when it comes to the
issue of AIDS.
Mr. Peter MacKay (Pictou-Antigonish-Guysborough, PC):
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Nova Scotia for the brevity of
his remarks so that I might participate. I say at the outset that the Progressive
Conservative Party agrees with comments which have been made with respect
to Motion No. 381 put forward by the member for Rosemont. This is an issue
of compassion.
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