Question Period Notes
About this information
In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
If you find a question period note of interest, you may make an access to information request in order to obtain it.
Background and status of the Meng extradition proceedings.
Canada is deeply concerned with the humanitarian situation in north-east Nigeria.
Ongoing violence in Iraq has affected millions of Iraqis since early 2014 and has resulted in acute humanitarian needs.
Inside Syria, over 13.1 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance, including over 2 million in hard to reach areas. Restricted access continues to plague the humanitarian response.
Approximately 3.9 million people in Mali continue to face a multidimensional crisis characterized by food insecurity, malnutrition, and population displacement.
Canada is deeply concerned with the ongoing violence and political instability in Libya and the resulting humanitarian crisis.
7.2 million people in South Sudan continue to experience humanitarian crisis due to conflict and insecurity.
On April 30, 2019, Health Canada issued regulatory authorizations to Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Héma-Québec (HQ) to change their blood donor deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) from one year to three months. This regulatory decision came as a result of proposals submitted by both CBS and HQ to Health Canada and was based on the latest scientific evidence. CBS and HQ implemented this policy on June 3, 2019.
In June 2016, the Government allocated $3.0 million for research to strengthen the evidence base supporting a non-discriminatory approach to blood donations. Results of several of these research projects have been published, while others are expected to be available between now and winter 2020 to inform potential future changes to blood donation policies.
To continue to support a safe and non-discriminatory approach to blood donation, Budget 2019 proposed to provide $2.4 million over three years, starting in 2019–20, for additional research specific to reducing barriers to the donation of blood plasma.
Canada’s blood system is internationally recognized for its high safety standards. It is, and will continue to be, one of the safest blood systems in the world.
• When will the government eliminate the blood donor deferral for gay men?
Food advertising to children is recognized as a major contributor to childhood obesity globally and in Canada. Health authorities and experts have called for comprehensive restrictions to reduce children’s exposure to, and the power of, food advertising. Since 2016, Health Canada has engaged extensively with stakeholders on policy options. A draft guide detailing a comprehensive, evidence-based proposal was distributed for stakeholder feedback in December 2018 and January 2019. Policy development is ongoing.
• What steps is the Government taking, including engaging with stakeholders, to restrict advertising of certain food and beverages to children?
Antimicrobial-resistant infections are becoming more frequent and increasingly difficult to treat. The antibiotics we rely on for common infections, such as pneumonia and strep throat, are becoming less effective, resulting in serious illness and death.
The Council of Canadian Academies released a report on November 12th, commissioned by the Public Health Agency of Canada, that describes the serious threat of antibiotic resistance. Already,1 in 4 bacterial infections are resistant to the first line of antibiotic treatment and last year approximately 5,400 Canadians died from a resistant infection. Projections of growth to 40 percent resistance by 2050 and 400,000 deaths are plausible according to these experts.