Carmela Hutchison, by videoconference from Calgary, Alberta, Angus M. Gunn, by videoconference from Vancouver, British Columbia and Margaret Somerville made statements and, with Margaret Birrell, by videoconference from Vancouver, British Columbia, answered questions.

Murray Rankin gave notice of the following motion:

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the government work with the provinces and territories on a flexible integrated model of palliative care by establishing the right to universal palliative care and implementing a Pan-Canadian Palliative and End-of-life Care Strategy that is tied to dedicated funding.

Murray Rankin gave notice of the following motion:

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the government re-establish a Secretariat on Palliative and End-of-Life Care with dedicated funding to:

i. Coordinate with the Provinces, Territories and Federal health jurisdictions;

ii. Set clear national standards;

iii. Coordinate end of life Care research, gather consistent and ongoing data;

iv. Set and monitor standards for the education of all health care providers;

v. Create supports for patient and family caregivers;

vi. Advise on national public education campaigns.

Murray Rankin gave notice of the following motion:

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the government implement a National Awareness Campaign on end of life care including palliative care with a focus on end of life assistance planning.

Murray Rankin gave notice of the following motion:

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the government improve end of life Care services within federal jurisdiction by establishing it as an essential service including culturally and spiritually appropriate palliative services for Canada’s First Nation, Inuit and Métis people.

Murray Rankin gave notice of the following motion:

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the government provide more supports for patient, family, and community caregivers including making the Compassionate Care benefits be made more flexible and available to all caregivers, not just those whose loved ones are about to die imminently.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 6:04 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 7:02 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Dr. John Soles, by videoconference from Clearwater, British Columbia, Dr. Hartley Stern, Michael Bach and Gerald Chipeur made statements and answered questions.