Text of a Letter to Ontario Premier Mike Harris

Attached is the text of a letter sent yesterday by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to Ontario Premier Mike Harris in response to his letter of May 5th on the subject of Hepatitis C compensation.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Dear Premier:

I am in receipt of your letter on May 5, 1998, in which you set out your province's position on assistance for Ontarians affected with Hepatitis C through the blood system prior to 1986.

As you are aware, the Krever Report recommended that the provinces and territories devise statutory no-fault schemes for compensating persons who suffer serious adverse consequences as a result of the administration of blood components and blood products in Canada. Is this something you are proposing for Ontario?

Notwithstanding this recommendation, Minister Rock, on behalf of the Government of Canada, displayed leadership when he took the initiative in developing a compensation offer for 1986-90 Hepatitis C sufferers -- an initiative which was agreed to by all governments in recognition of their collective responsibility for the quality of the blood supply during that period. It is with interest that I note your recent decision to move beyond this principled initiative to play a role in those areas where no government responsibility has been identified.

In the initiative you have put forward, I believe it is important to clarify a number of issues. Is it your view that a program based on compassion would distinguish between Hepatitis C victims not infected by the blood system and those who were? I would also be interested in knowing your thoughts on whether, in the design of such a program, the same levels of compensation would be provided to victims of Hepatitis C irrespective of their symptoms. As well, have you considered the impact initiatives of this type may have on the fair and equitable treatment of Canadians across the country whose situations are similar to those with Hepatitis C? Based on your proposal, I would be interested in your views on how other Canadians in similar situations would be treated.

It would be premature to discuss the costs associated with any eventual program without first achieving clarity on these key issues. Clarity, transparency and collaboration will be required to achieve consensus on a fair and equitable response which, I am confident, will reflect the important responsibility of the provinces and territories in this very important issue.

Yours sincerely,

ORIGINAL SIGNED BY
JEAN CHRÉTIEN


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