Bill C-398 defeated

A sufficient number of Conservatives voted against Bill C-398 tonight to defeat the private members’ bill that was intended to make it easier to send generic medicine to developing countries.

A previous version of the bill passed the House in March 2011, but failed to pass in the Senate—Tony Clement set out the government’s objections in a memo to Senators—before the government was defeated in the House. Seven Conservatives voted in favour this evening, but 14 who had supported the bill previously voted against it.

NDP MP Helene Laverdiere’s statement on the bill’s defeat is here. Pat Martin reports that Paul Dewar was unimpressed with the government side.

Paul Dewar to MP across aisle after CPC defeats Drugs for Africa bill, “what church do you go to? Got a confessional? You’re gonna need it.”

The Globe editorial board made the case for the bill earlier this week. UNICEF Canada is disappointed.