Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Health

During question period on health, Michael Barrett of the Conservatives asked about the PrescribeIT e-prescribing program, saying the government spent $300 million on a program that was scrapped after low uptake and that its CEO was paid $900,000 a year. He asked why the salary was that high and requested that the Auditor General review the program and that the health minister appear at committee. Health Minister Marjorie Michel said the CEO’s pay was unacceptable, noted the organization does not report directly to Health Canada, and said she spoke with its board, which took steps to remove the CEO. She said she takes the health committee seriously and would be willing to testify there.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Michael Barrett

Conservative

Linked statement

“The government spent $300 million on a prescription program that failed, and the head of it made $900,000 a year. I want the minister to explain why that person was paid so much.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government spent $300 million on the failed PrescribeIT program that had less than 5% uptake. Now that it is being scrapped, we have learned that the CEO responsible for this failed scandal-plagued program was being paid $900,000 per year. When Conservatives looked to have the minister testify at committee, Liberals blocked it. Will the minister stand today and explain to this House the justification for paying the CEO $900,000 while Canadians are lined up at food banks?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Marjorie Michel

Liberal
“The situation with this company's CEO is unacceptable. The company does not report directly to my department, but I spoke with its board and actions were taken. I am doing everything I can to fix these problems.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 47 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I agree that the situation with the CEO of that company is unacceptable. As members know, that company does not report directly to Health Canada. However, I spoke with its board of directors, and corrective measures were applied. I can assure the opposition member that I am working on this and that I will do everything in my power to clarify all of the problems.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Michael Barrett

Conservative
“The government wasted $300 million on a program that did not work and paid its leader $900,000. I want the minister to let the Auditor General investigate this program. I also want the minister to answer questions about it at committee.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me clarify some of the problems for the minister. The Liberals spent $300 million on a program that did not work and was not used. They oversaw the CEO being paid $900,000. They do not seem to want to agree to have the Auditor General review this scandal-plagued program and the minister does not seem to want to come to committee to face questions about it. Will the minister stand up today and commit to have the Auditor General review this program in detail and report findings to this House, and to come before committee to testify about this failure?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Marjorie Michel

Liberal
“I will testify before the health committee again. We spoke to the board of directors, and they took steps to remove the CEO. I will keep working on this issue.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 42 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I take the work of the Standing Committee on Health very seriously, and I will certainly return to testify before the committee at some point. As I said, we took action. We spoke with the board of directors, and they took steps to remove the CEO. I will continue to work on this issue and will take the necessary steps.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 119

All 43 items ·
  1. Government Orders Business of Supply 116 statements
  2. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements
  3. Oral Questions Natural Resources 4 statements
  4. Oral Questions Climate Change 6 statements
  5. Oral Questions Youth 14 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions Youth 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions Veterans Affairs 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Health 4 statements
  11. Oral Questions Climate Change 4 statements
  12. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 6 statements
  14. Oral Questions Youth 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Air Transportation 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Climate Change 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Aerospace Industry 4 statements
  19. Oral Questions Business of the House 2 statements
  20. Government Orders Business of Supply 69 statements
  21. Private Members' Business Financial Administration Act 11 statements
  22. Oral Questions Finance 4 statements
  23. Oral Questions National Defence 11 statements
  24. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  25. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  26. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements