Debates of the Senate (Hansard)

1st Session, 41st Parliament,
Volume 148, Issue 92

Monday, June 18, 2012
The Honourable Donald H. Oliver, Speaker pro tempore

International Cooperation

Global Malaria Prevention

Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, my question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. According to the 2011 World Malaria Report released by the World Health Organization, malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25 per cent globally since 2000. However, that same report also warns that these projected gains may very well be threatened by projected shortfalls in funding.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria, Mr. Raymond Chambers has stated:

With malaria deaths in Africa having fallen significantly since 2000, the return on our investment to end malaria deaths has been greater than any I have experienced in the business world. But one child still dies every minute from malaria – and that is one child and one minute too many. . . .

My question to the leader, which I have asked before as well, is what role will Canada play to help ensure that progress continues to be made and malaria becomes a thing of the past?

Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, of course all of us can be proud of the role of Canadians in this marked downturn in the number of cases of malaria.

With regard to future endeavours in this area, I would have to make a specific request to the department for more precise information. I thank the honourable senator for the question.

Senator Jaffer: I have a number of supplementary questions, and I respectfully understand that the leader must consult.

What resources have been allocated to help ensure that millions of men, women and children no longer die from this entirely preventable and treatable disease? Will Canada take the same leadership role as it took on maternal health? How much funding is Canada providing to multilateral organizations that work tirelessly to combat malaria?

Lastly, I have seen in the villages where I work that DDT does make a difference. Will Canada revisit the issue of DDT and make sure that it can be used in Africa to eradicate malaria?

Senator LeBreton: I thank the honourable senator. Of course we all know the story of DDT, how it is banned and the residual problems that the ban seems to have created. I do not believe there has been any reassessment of the use of DDT, but there is no question that banning it has had an effect on the mosquito population.

I will be happy to take all of the supplementary questions that the honourable senator poses and reply to them in the form of written responses.

[Translation]