Response from the Bloc Qu?b?cois
1. What measures will you take to support caregivers and show leadership on this important issue for Canadian families? The Bloc Qu?b?cois is aware of how inadequate Federal financing is in this respect. As a matter of fact, according to the Bloc Qu?b?cois, le fundamental problem is the under-financing resulting from fiscal imbalance that deprives Quebec and the other provinces from revenues sufficient to meet their commitments, making it difficult to adequately support their public health organizations. The Bloc Qu?b?cois considers that correcting this fiscal imbalance would allow Quebec and the provinces to further develop services to their populations within their areas of jurisdiction and to make sure that, when it is a matter of health, their citizens have the necessary tools to meet new challenges in public health. Last fall, the Quebec government held public consultations on seniors’ living conditions. Although the matter of family caregivers is not limited to seniors, it remains that several recommendations have been collected from various input received on that occasion. Quebec is perfectly aware of the needs of family caregivers. The Bloc Qu?b?cois supports tax measures such as income splitting which would bring some support to family caregivers. 2. What new measures will your party take to get tobacco contraband under control? The Bloc Qu?b?cois asks the Federal government to employ legal means in order to stop this explosive growth in contraband, such as the seizure of motor vehicles used by smugglers. At the same time, we believe that, although police intervention is capital, regulations must be amended in order to discourage smuggling. Cutting supply sources remains by far the best means to prevent smuggling. Following are some measures suggested during meetings with interested parties, including the Coalition qu?b?coise pour le contr?le du tabac, measures that we fully support:
The Bloc Qu?b?cois is also demanding that the Federal government ensure coordinated efforts on the part of its various departments and agencies, as collective action is the only way to take into account all the various aspects of smoking and smuggling (prevention, enforcement of manufacturing standards, suppression of smuggling operations etc.) Finally, the Bloc Qu?b?cois considers that any action against smuggling taken on reserves must be done in cooperation with aboriginal authorities. In this area, cooperation is capital in order to identify and target the criminal organizations. 3. Would your party support a ban on flavoured cigarillos and other tobacco products? 5. What does your Party intend to do to ensure that citizens are made aware of the chronic health hazards associated with the products that they use? We have pointed to the health minister’s lack of judgment when he failed to mention the fact that metal cans may contain bisphenol A, a substance that has been linked to some types of cancer. These cans are a source of daily exposure to bisphenol A for consumers of all ages, just as baby bottles, water bottles, compact disks, helmets, food packaging are, among others. The Bloc Qu?b?cois will act to demand action from the Federal government, within its area of jurisdiction, in order to review labelling standards for all products subject to the Food and Drug Act and the Hazardous Products Act.
|