Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Ms. Bisaro indicated she was going to make comments and she did not need a response from the Minister, so if she is agreed, I will move on to the next person for general comments, and that would be Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. There’s been some discussion around the best way to go and I think the consensus of the Regular Members at our last discussion was that they would like to have one set of general comments with the response from the Minister in between before the next Member speaks. So I know we did try that three and one on one department, but it would appear that people would rather have their comments responded to individually. Thank you, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. I will now open the floor for general comments on the Department of Health and Social Services. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Minister Abernethy.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Is committee agreed?

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Minister Abernethy.

I will call the House back to order. The committee has agreed that we are to proceed with the estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services. At this time, I would like to ask Minister Abernethy if he would like to deliver his opening remarks.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Minister Abernethy.

Given that some of these diseases that can be prevented through immunization and vaccination are highly contagious, I would like to suggest to the Minister that it would be good if our real data that we can get our hands on would indicate a higher rate of uptake than what he has indicated here today in the House.

I’d like to ask the Minister, is he aware of any resistance to people receiving this service, or would this be more from lack of awareness or knowledge of the immunization and vaccination? Are these numbers reflective of people who would resist having those services for their children...

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Minister Abernethy.