November 27, 1997
(Health)

The following statement was issued today by Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Today I would like to speak briefly about the Report of the Commission of Enquiry into the Blood System in Canada submitted by the Honourable Mr. Justice Horace Krever and made public yesterday afternoon by my federal colleague, the Honourable Allan Rock.

My first thoughts today are with our fellow Canadians who have sustained injury due to the contamination of the blood supply, as well as with their families. As we are a part of the National Blood System, I would to express, on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, our sorrow and regret, to these individuals and their families for the injury and anxiety that this has caused and continues to cause them. I know this has been a difficult time for them.

I also want to thank Judge Krever for his comprehensive report. I believe his advice and recommendations will be very important to us as we continue to design and establish a new integrated Blood System for Canada. A number of his recommendations deal with the future Blood System. I am pleased that these recommendations are generally in keeping with the directions that my ministerial colleagues and I are pursuing in the establishment of the new system.

I would also like to support the recognition which Judge Krever gave Canada's blood donors in his report. I agree with him that these blood donors make a very essential contribution to the well-being of our fellow citizens. I would encourage all our citizens who can give the "gift of life" to do so in the interest of all citizens who require blood.

Since Judge Krever was appointed in 1993, he carried out a thorough examination of all aspects of the blood system. My federal, provincial and territorial colleagues and I now have to put in place a process to address his long awaited recommendations. It would not be prudent at this time to enter into a detailed discussion of the recommendations until we have an opportunity to review them in a more detailed manner as many of these issues are very complex.

However, there is one recommendation that we have to review very quickly. That is Judge Krever's first recommendation for compensation for those people who sustain blood-related injuries.

If we were to proceed with a compensation or assistance plan, it would clearly require considerable financial resources. It would be beyond the fiscal capability of this province to proceed alone on such a recommendation. However, since we have a National Blood System, it is imperative that this issue be reviewed by federal, provincial and territorial ministers on a collaborative basis.

As Ministers of Health, we have to review this important recommendation both collectively and quickly. Accordingly, I will be seeking an early meeting with my federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to review this recommendation, in particular, as well as to establish a process to review the recommendations in general.

As ministers, we share a common concern for the people adversely affected by the blood system. As well, we share a common objective to maintain and protect the health of Canadians by working together in a partnership.