Chris in the Commons: Standing up for Hep C victims

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that the victims of Canada's hepatitis C tainted blood disaster deserve, at the very least, to be treated with respect and to be given their court-ordered compensation as quickly as possible. But now we are hearing that payments are being cut and in some cases stopped altogether. These are claims that are approved, not claims that are pending.

What is the government doing to ensure that victims receive the compensation they are owed as quickly as possible?

Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health, CPC): Mr. Speaker, there is an independent organization that oversees the applications for these victims and each application is reviewed. If the member's constituent has concerns, he or she should be directing them to the independent organization that was established to respond to the situation.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, this is not about the application. The application has already been approved. The government should have been prepared for this. Victims deserve nothing less.

What do I tell the person in my riding whose claim has been approved but who has been waiting to get a cheque for years? This individual has been told that payments have been put on hold because funds have run out. The government is short-changing victims who have already suffered too much.

When will the government drop the excuses, stop re-victimizing claimants, and pay the money that is owed?

Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health, CPC): Mr. Speaker, there is an independent organization that has the resources to pay the victims. Each application is reviewed and responded to accordingly.