Posted on 10 May 2012
OTTAWA— Nova Scotia Liberal Senator Jane Cordy demanded a retraction and apology from the Harper Government over comments made by Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq. Minister Aglukkaq’s comments came during her public praising of the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s recently released mental health strategy for Canada.
Senator Cordy:
“The national strategy on mental health was released by the MHCC on Tuesday and was a great day for those of us who have a special interest in mental health issues and a great day for those senators who worked on the Social Affairs Committee who produced the Senate report "Out of the Shadows at Last" which contained the recommendation to establish the MHCC.
Minister Aglukkaq claimed that opposition parties were not supportive of the establishment of the MHCC and their mandate. This was more than just misleading, it was blatantly false.
As a member of the Senate Committee that recommended the mental health commission, I am deeply offended. The Minister is making this a partisan issue. Senators on both sides of the Senate Chamber feel passionately about doing the right thing for those Canadians suffering poor mental health. The Minister’s comments are false and an insult to senators from both sides of this chamber who are working on this issue.”
Contact:
Office of Senator Jane Cordy
(613) 995-8409