Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, like many countries around the world, we have always been clear that we need to understand the origins of COVID-19, and we will work with our international partners to ensure there is a robust and continued investigation into the origins of this virus. It is important not just for Canadians but, indeed, for the entire world so that we can prevent another epidemic of this kind.
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows that is not true. I have fully released unredacted documents to the appropriate committee; a committee of all parliamentarians who have the appropriate security clearance to review these documents. We will never play games with national security. There is an appropriate place to review those documents, they are there and I await the committee's findings.
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Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member opposite that there is no place for discrimination against the community. It is important that we continue to press on. We have done more in the last five years than had been done in the previous 10. Of course, until 2013, Canada had a lifetime restriction on blood donation from men who have sex with men. In 2019, it was reduced to three months. There is more t…
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Mr. Speaker, I think the Conservative member opposite knows full well by now that we have provided NSICOP fully unredacted documents. This is the appropriate committee to investigate these documents. I urge him to stop accusing the government of not being transparent, because, in fact, by providing fully unredacted documents, that is exactly what we are being, transparent.
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Mr. Speaker, our measures of protection at the border have been guided through science and evidence, to ensure that we protect Canadians from the importation of the virus. We will continue to adjust border measures as the science and evidence and advisers recommend to do so. Over the last year and a half, Canadians have made tremendous sacrifices in their lives. Small businesses have struggled. In…
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Mr. Speaker, before I answer that question, let me just say that any kind of allegation that the Prime Minister is not complying with the measures that are in place for all Canadians is untrue. In terms of the progress on alleviation of border measures, we will be guided by science and evidence on this side of the House. As I said, Canadians have made extraordinary sacrifices to fight this virus. …
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Mr. Speaker, I encourage the member opposite to contact my office with the specifics of this particular case, and I would be happy to look into it for him. In general, though, the measures at the border are there to protect Canadians from the importation of the virus, and we encourage all Canadians to follow the rules. I will look into this particular case for the member.
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Mr. Speaker, first, I share the member opposite's dismay and attack on treating substance use as a health condition and not one of criminality. That is in fact what our government has done since we were elected in 2015. We have restored harm reduction through the Canada drug strategy. We have ensured that communities across the country from coast to coast have access to funding for harm reduction …
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Mr. Speaker, a committee that is comprised of parliamentarians from both houses and across all parties is indeed a parliamentary committee. It is important that the member opposite not try to mislead Canadians and not try to play chicken with national security. This is not a game. Those documents have been provided to the committee, fully unredacted, in a place where it is safe to review them.
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Mr. Speaker, the opposition party is playing dangerous games with national security. The member knows full well that, in fact, his party appoints candidates to the NSICOP. The documents are with the committee. They are fully unredacted. I encourage him to stop trying to mislead Canadians and play games with national security.
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Mr. Speaker, yet again we see the opposition trying to conflate the situation with the origins of COVID-19, and indeed, the director of the lab has indicated that this is in no way connected to COVID-19, which, as the member knows, arose much later. The National Security Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians is the appropriate committee to review these documents. It has the ability to review …
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Mr. Speaker, we have some of the strongest border measures in the world to protect Canadians from the importation of COVID and its variants. We will continue to use science and evidence to guide us on our evolving stance on the borders. It is incredibly important that we continue to make progress on the immunization of Canadians and work with the provinces and territories to ensure they have the h…
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Mr. Speaker, at every step of the way we have been informed by science and evidence as we have added layers of protection at the border. We thank the testing and screening panel for the road map forward on how to manage international travel and also protect Canadians from the importation of the virus. We will continue to be guided by science and evidence to ensure that, as Canada opens up, and the…
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Mr. Speaker, at every step of the way we have been there for Canadians, to protect them from the risk of international travel and to work with partners across the country to ensure that the measures and layers of protection are doing their job. We will continue to do that. We know that reducing mobility is a way to protect from the importation of virus, and we will continue to use science and evid…
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Mr. Speaker, yet again, I will remind the member opposite that, in fact, the Conservative Party can nominate who should sit on the National Security Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. This committee exists to be able to review documents of a sensitive nature, of a secure nature. This multipartisan bi-House committee will now be able to review these documents in a secure manner in a way th…
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Mr. Speaker, I will point out that these documents have been turned over to the National Security Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. This multipartisan committee will now be able to review the documents in a secure fashion, and of course we support the committee in that review.
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Mr. Speaker, that member opposite knows the National Security Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians is a multipartisan committee with representation from both Houses. This committee has the ability to review these documents in a secure manner, in a way that all Canadians expect.
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Mr. Speaker, I have written to the chair of the NSICOP committee to refer this issue to the appropriate place to study these questions. As well, the agency has provided the committee the unredacted documents through the House clerk.
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Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, as the member opposite probably just heard, I have written to the chair of the NSICOP committee, which is the appropriate level of security to review items of national security. I have referred this issue to the chair. As well, the agency has provided the unredacted documents to the House clerk to work with that committee.
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Mr. Speaker, researchers across the country have been working together and, indeed, with other international researchers to understand COVID-19, to develop vaccines, to create testing and screening equipment, and understand the virus as it evolves. As the member knows, in this particular situation, these researchers are no longer with the lab. In fact, the director of the lab has been very clear t…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify my response in the House earlier. In one of the questions that was posed to me, I was not as clear as I could have been. To clarify, I meant to say that unredacted documents regarding the National Microbiology Lab were provided to the NSICOP.
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Mr. Speaker, yet again, we see the member opposite fail to recognize that science evolves, that it is a new virus and that it is a global pandemic the likes of which we have not seen in 100 years. In fact, that is exactly what we have been doing. We have been following the advice of public health scientists and researchers. That is why we are in the position we are in today. I want to thank all of…
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Mr. Speaker, the researchers are no longer with the National Microbiology Lab. As I have said, this government takes national security extremely seriously. In fact, as the member opposite knows, we have been repeatedly committed to providing the House with the documentation. There is an appropriate committee in this House to review that documentation. I will just say this: We will not play games w…
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Mr. Speaker, as we have been repeatedly clear on this side of the House, of course we are committed to sharing information in a manner that will not compromise national security. There is a committee, as the member opposite knows, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which is well situated to review these documents. This is an opportunity for the House to participa…
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Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, every step of the way we have been transparent with Canadians. In fact, I have appeared before the health committee multiple times, as have my officials. We are always available to speak to Canadians. We have supplied the documents in due course, as requested by the House of Commons. We will continue to work to get those documents to the health committee and to be the…
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Mr. Speaker, as I have said repeatedly in this House, the government is prepared to turn over the documents while protecting national security. The member opposite knows that there is an appropriate committee of the House that can look at these documents. It is important that the member not play games with Canadians' safety and security.
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Mr. Speaker, we have a crown jewel in the National Microbiology Laboratory. This is a lab that has provided amazing service to Canadians through this pandemic and, indeed, before. In fact, this lab is well known around the world for its efforts to understand pathologies and support Canadians. As I have said, it is important as well that Canada collaborate in research and science. In fact, attendin…
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Mr. Speaker, again, the Conservatives are trying to sow fear in the work that the National Microbiology Laboratory conducts. As the member knows, the scientists and researchers in question are no longer with the lab. The lab is a secure facility. Everybody working and visiting at the national lab must undergo security clearance and screening, and adhere to strict protocols and policies. We will ne…
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Mr. Speaker, let me start by giving my thanks to immunizers and Canadians from coast to coast to coast, because today Canada is leading the G7 in the number of vaccines administered. This is a good news story for Canada. In fact, it is a story of team Canada. I want to say that we will make sure that whatever we do next on the border will be through the lens of science and evidence, and in full pa…
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Mr. Speaker, either Conservatives do not understand national security or they do not care. The agency has provided documents in relation to this situation, with redactions to protect confidentiality, of course. I encourage the Conservative Party not to use national security and put the national security of Canadians at risk for partisan gain.
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Mr. Speaker, the member knows that part of scientific research is open and collaborative research. We also know that we have a strong role to play in protecting Canada from human and cyber actors that pose real threats to Canadian research, to integrity, to intellectual property. While the opposition continues to stoke fear, we will remain focused on stopping the spread of COVID-19 and supporting …
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that this government puts their security, safety and health at the forefront of everything we do. In fact, what Canadians do not appreciate is partisan games with their security. That member opposite knows that we have provided those documents to the committee with minor redactions for the protection of confidentiality. I would encourage the Conservative Party not to pu…
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what that mishmash is. Let me be clear, the National Microbiology Laboratory is a Canadian jewel. It has provided an immense amount of support to Canadians during COVID-19 and, indeed, before. World-renowned science, in collaboration with many other countries, is conducted through the lab and through its partners. In terms of national security, clearly the Conservatives …
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Mr. Speaker, as I have been clear, those documents have been provided to the committee. In fact, the redactions were minimal, to protect the confidentiality of the situation. Again, I would encourage the Conservative Party to stay focused on the national security of Canadians and not put it at risk for partisan purposes. We are proud of the critical role that the National Microbiology Laboratory i…
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Mr. Speaker, again, we see the Conservatives trying to stoke fear. Either they do not understand national security or they do not care. It is quite obvious. The agency has provided these documents as requested by the committee, with redactions to protect confidentiality. I encourage the Conservative Party to put the national security of Canadians in the forefront and stop these partisan games.
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Mr. Speaker, as I have said, we will participate, and in fact those documents have been provided to the committee, with redactions to protect confidentiality. Let me be clear. I would encourage the Conservative Party not to put the national security of Canadians at risk for partisan gain. Conservatives are playing a dangerous game. The member opposite knows that we have processes and procedures, a…
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Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking Canadians for their commitment to staying home during this time when we are all working to fight COVID-19. In fact, travel volumes are down by 95% from the volumes prior to COVID-19 striking our shores. I want to thank Canadians for their incredible sacrifices. I will also say this: The report from the testing and screening panel is very important in charting …
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Mr. Speaker, first let me say that I have personally met with many patient groups since becoming Minister of Health and prior to that. The Liberal government is always willing to listen to families and patient groups that are, of course, advocating for the best treatment for their family members and loved ones. In regard to the PMPRB, the organization has undertaken important work to understand th…
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Mr. Speaker, as I have said repeatedly in the House, every individual who works in or visits the lab undergoes strict security screenings and protocols. This is a secure lab. It is a crown jewel. We are so proud of the work done at the National Microbiology Laboratory and are grateful to the scientists and researchers who are working so hard to ensure that we have what we need to understand COVID,…
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Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, I am not at liberty to discuss the confidential reasons why the scientists left the lab. They are subject to privacy concerns, as the member opposite knows. However, let me be clear that the National Microbiology Lab is a Canadian jewel. It is a secure facility. Everyone who works at the facility or visits the facility must undergo security screening and …
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Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, the National Microbiology Lab is a secure facility. We take threats to research security and intellectual property very seriously. Everyone working and visiting the National Microbiology Lab must undergo security screening and adhere to strict security protocols, procedures and policies. We will never put the health and safety of Canadians at risk.
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Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member opposite that it is essential that services are available in either of our official languages. Switch Health has doubled its French language capacities. Yesterday, a second provider was selected to provide dedicated testing support for temporary foreign workers arriving by air in Quebec. This will help meet the increased demand for testing over the coming month…
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Mr. Speaker, yet again, the member opposite is conflating two different kinds of testing; one a PCR test that is deployed at the border through partners like Switch Health and DynaLIFE; and, second, rapid testing that can be deployed by trained volunteers. In fact, we have seen, for example, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, exactly that use by volunteers testing residents before they go into bars, pubs an…
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Mr. Speaker, my heart is with the member's community. I know in my own riding and region of Thunder Bay—Superior North we experienced a very similar alarming surge. We know that smaller rural communities have fewer health care resources. That is why I have urged the Public Health Agency of Canada to work closely with the member opposite's medical officer of health to ensure that we get those rapid…
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Mr. Speaker, we have been working with Switch Health and other partners, including adding partners, to testing at the border. I will remind the member opposite, however, that those tests are indeed PCR tests and they do take longer than a rapid test, which is turned around in 15 minutes or so. As the member opposite knows, there are many different testing technologies in play in Canada and that is…
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Mr. Speaker, there is a lot mixed into that question. On rapid testing, as the member opposite knows, we have sent millions and millions of tests to provinces and territories so they can deploy them quickly. We encourage the provinces and territories to do so. We have also been working with many corporate partners to ensure that rapid tests are available to corporations and to small and medium-siz…
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Mr. Speaker, those allegations are incorrect. As the member opposite knows, every step of the way we have been guided by science and evidence in regard to protection at the border. Switch Health has been improving its services. We have been working with it. We have added additional providers at the border to ensure that Canadians can get prompt results on day eight testing. We will stop at nothing…
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Mr. Speaker, first of all, we thank the Auditor General for her report, and we are pleased to say that many of her recommendations are already under way. Indeed, there was a scramble for personal protective equipment at the beginning of the pandemic. We worked with provinces and territories to understand their inventory, and when it became clear we would need volumes and volumes of PPE that were n…
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Mr. Speaker, let me just talk for a moment about the number of vaccines we have managed to procure for Canada. In fact, over 26.1 million were shipped to Canada, and in Ontario, over 10 million were delivered and eight and a half million were administered. There are enough vaccines in Canada for Canadians. I will also point out the United States has deemed vaccination is not an essential reason to…
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Mr. Speaker, I am sure the member opposite is aware we have a very fine team of scientists and researchers who are advising the Government of Canada, both from the Public Health Agency of Canada and through a number of independent panels. I will tell the member opposite we will continue to rely on the science and evidence as it evolves to inform our stance not just on the border but on how we can …
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