Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Committee, noting the clock, I will now rise and report progress. I would like to thank our witnesses this evening. We’ll see you tomorrow. Sergeant-at-Arms, if you could please escort the witnesses out of the House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Moses, but I know the Minister would like to reply. Minister Abernethy.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Ms. Mathison.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister Abernethy.

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Mr. Neudorf, Mr. Martin, Mr. Auger, welcome, gentlemen, to the House. It’s always a pleasure to have you back here.

Committee, with that, we’ll turn it to general comments. Starting off I have Mr. Bouchard.

Thank you. Committee, again, page 203, community social programs, operations expenditure summary, $28.199 million. Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Ms. Mathison. Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Abernethy.

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we are fully aware, we are in a full operation budget season and it’s important that we reflect on some of the high-level questions as to a department’s performance in responding to the needs of the people it serves. With that in mind, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services on our stewardship of the Supplementary Health Program.

If one looks at the budget and health service programs under Supplementary Health Programs, and knowing full well that the cost of drugs and medical devices are on the rise, the budget has remained virtually flat at...