Health Committee on March 26th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Good afternoon, everyone.

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 26 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.

I recognize that we are meeting on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe peoples.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, which means that there are those of you here in person and there is a witness who is virtual.

There are some bits of housekeeping that I have to tell the witnesses to remind you of certain things.

Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating virtually, I need to ask you to click on the microphone icon to activate your microphone, but mute it unless you're speaking. At the bottom of your screen, you will see a little round globe. That is to get interpretation. You can choose floor, English or French.

I will remind you that all comments must be addressed through the chair.

For members in the room, you know the drill. If you wish to speak, you have to raise your hand so that I can see you before I see other people, hopefully. Also, remember that the clerk and I will try very hard to manage the speaking order as we sort the hands that are up. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.

Without further ado, we are now on the order of the day.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the committee will begin its study of Canadian pharmaceutical sovereignty.

I would like to welcome our witnesses.

For the first hour, we have the president of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Margot Burnell.

Welcome.

I'd like to welcome, from Grifols Canada, Mary Hughes, who is vice-president, sales and commercial operations. Her associate is also here to give her advice should she need it.

We also have, online, Arianne Trudeau, executive director of Médicament Québec.

Here is the drill. Each group will have five minutes. You can pick who is going to speak for the five minutes. I will give you a one-minute shout-out, because I know that sometimes if you're reading, you can't see me. Then I will give you a 30-second shout-out so you can wrap up. You will get to answer questions later on to expand on what you didn't get to say.

That is it.

I shall begin now with the president of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Burnell, for five minutes, please.

[Dr. Margot Burnell, President, Canadian Medical Association]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I acknowledge with gratitude that we gather today on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin nation and appreciate their stewardship of the land over generations.

My name is Dr. Margot Burnell. As president of the Canadian Medical Association, I have the privilege of representing physicians and medical learners from across this country and, through them, the people we care for.

Thank you for the invitation to share the CMA perspective as part of your study on Canada’s pharmaceutical sovereignty.

I’m sure the committee will agree that the people of Canada deserve a health care system that is modern, high-quality, patient-centred and cost-effective. Prescription medications are essential to achieving this, yet access isn’t always reliable. Every day, physicians see how access to medication can mean the difference between timely treatment and avoidable harm. When we can’t get the right drug at the right time, patients wait. Their treatments have to be delayed, and their surgeries have to be postponed.

When there’s no suitable alternative, patients may not get the full benefit of their treatment or they may have more side effects. Even when alternatives exist, switching medications can be confusing, especially for people who have been on the same drug for a long time.

The effects of these shortages are serious not only for individual patients, but for the health care system as a whole. Patients may need extra appointments to adjust their medications or emergency care that could have been avoided. That added pressure builds up quickly. Physicians, nurses and pharmacists have to spend more time searching for alternatives and adjusting treatment plans, which pulls them away from other patients.

Meanwhile, governments and pharmacies face financial strain when supply chain disruptions drive up drug prices. In the end, though, it’s patients who pay—and pay dearly—through delays, side effects, worsening health and lost confidence in a system that’s supposed to support them.

Canada's vulnerability is clear: 68% of the drugs used here are imported, and 83% of activities related to drug production take place outside our borders, including manufacturing, packaging and labelling.

The CMA has been sounding the alarm for many years. Since 2005, we've called for a comprehensive, well-resourced system to monitor Canada's drug supply. We've also recommended a review of supply processes for drugs and equipment essential to medical practice.

COVID-19 made the stakes clear: Canada didn't invest enough in stockpiles to meet demand. This lesson must guide us now as we look to build our pharmaceutical sovereignty and better protect patients.

First, the CMA recommends that the federal government invest more in producing medications in Canada. Having our own reliable source will help us manage shortages and build a system we can count on.

Second, we're asking for the federal government to partner with provinces and territories to prioritize buying medical products that are made in Canada. This helps strengthen our supply chain and supports Canadian innovation.

Third, we must take steps to strengthen our health care system overall. When drug shortages increase demand for care, we need a health workforce that can manage the impact safely and effectively. That means expanding team-based care, training and licensing more doctors and other health professionals and using technology to make care more efficient.

In closing, I want to highlight the scale of Canada's health industry and the impact our recommendations can have in strengthening it.

The health industry currently employs three million people in Canada, contributes $200 billion annually to our GDP and drives billions in spending on technology, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. There's a real opportunity to keep more of this investment at home by strengthening domestic innovation and manufacturing.

Yes, let's absolutely keep economic value, jobs and intellectual property in Canada, but as importantly, let's ensure people in Canada can rely on safe, effective and consistent access to medications no matter what's happening elsewhere in the world. The CMA stands ready to work with the federal government, provinces and territories, and partners across the health system to reach this goal.

Thank you for your time. I'd be pleased to answer your questions.

Meegwetch.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Dr. Burnell. You have 10 seconds to spare, so it was very well done. Thank you very much.

We now go to Ms. Hughes, vice-president, sales and commercial operations, Grifols Canada, for five minutes.

Ms. Hughes, please go ahead.

[Mary Hughes, Vice-President, Sales and Commercial Operations, Grifols Canada]

Thank you.

Madam Chair and honourable members of the committee, my name is Mary Hughes and I'm the vice-president of sales and commercial operations at Grifols Canada. In terms of academic background, I have a bachelor's degree in genetics, a master's in gene therapy, an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in hemostasis and thrombosis.

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I appreciate the chance to tell you about the work Grifols is doing in partnership with Canadian Blood Services to help Canada strengthen the country's self-sufficiency in plasma medicines and improve security of supply for Canadian patients whose lives depend on these medicines.

Plasma-derived medicines treat rare, chronic and life-threatening conditions. For many patients, immunoglobulin therapy is not optional. It is the only effective way to survive and maintain a better quality of life. These medicines can be made only from human plasma, donated by people who help others.

Thousands of patients across Canada rely on these treatments. To treat one patient with primary immunodeficiency for a year, it can take 130 plasma donations, and 465 donations are needed for patients with CIDP, a complex neurological condition.

The availability of treatment depends entirely on a stable, reliable supply of plasma.

The COVID-19 pandemic and a global shortage of immunoglobulins have shown how reliance on external supply for critical health products creates a significant vulnerability for Canadian patients. As a result, Canadian Blood Services made it a national priority earlier this decade to increase domestic self-sufficiency to 50%. Grifols stepped up to support this vision, and in 2022 we signed a long-term renewable agreement with Canadian Blood Services to build a fully domestic plasma ecosystem from the ground up.

Under the agreement with Canadian Blood Services, all plasma collected in Canada by Grifols is for the exclusive benefit of, or on behalf of, Canadian Blood Services. Further, Grifols provides a service whereby it processes all such collected plasma to deliver all immunoglobulin that may result from such collected plasma. As and when directed by Canadian Blood Services, Grifols may process any intermediate products that result from the process of manufacturing immunoglobulins to produce other plasma-derived medicine proteins, such as albumin.

A strong and reliable Canadian plasma supply and manufacturing capacity are vital to avoid the impact of factors outside of Canada's control. As a Canadian, I am proud that Grifols is supporting our country in this effort. Since the start of our partnership together, we have more than doubled Canada's domestic supply of immunoglobulins, going from 15% to 33%. Our progress means fewer imports, greater health care sovereignty and a stronger access to life-saving medicines for Canadians. This is possible thanks to our 800 Canadian employees, whom I proudly represent today, who are focused on helping Canadian patients.

Through Grifols' long-term commitment to Canada's plasma infrastructure and supply chain, we have invested approximately $1 billion to build a domestic plasma fractionation network and a Montreal-based plasma manufacturing facility. This is what self-sufficiency looks like in practical terms: Canadian donors, Canadian collection and Canadian production to create Canadian medicines for Canadian patients.

Our agreement with Canadian Blood Services means that plasma collected through this partnership is used to produce immunoglobulin medicines for Canadian patients. Once all the immunoglobulins are isolated to produce this medicine, the remaining proteins can be used to make another kind of medicine called albumin.

While Canada does not have enough immunoglobulins, our country has more than enough albumin to fulfill patient needs. This leaves the question of what to do with the excess albumin protein. The choice is to throw it away or use the excess to benefit patients in other parts of the world.

Let me be clear: Canadian patients and donors come first—always. For immunoglobulin, this means that every donation is fully and exclusively used to serve Canadian patients. For the by-product albumin, however, Canadian Blood Services has determined that once Canadian needs are met, the excess albumin can be used to provide life-saving medicine for patients outside of Canada. In fact, the proceeds from selling this excess albumin offset the cost of immunoglobulin medicines for Canadian patients.

Together with CBS, Grifols is contributing to Canada's national goal to achieve immunoglobulin sovereignty. We are expanding plasma collection, strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on foreign supply, while protecting Canadian patients' access to life-saving medicines.

Thank you very much for your attention. I'll be pleased to answer your questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'll now go to our virtual witness, Arianne Trudeau from Médicament Québec. You have five minutes.

[Arianne Trudeau, Executive Director, Médicament Québec]

Madam Chair and committee members, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to you.

My name is Arianne Trudeau. I'm the executive director of Médicament Québec.

COVID‑19 revealed a number of findings and lessons concerning our dependence on pharmaceuticals. In particular, our ability to prepare and strengthen supply chains depends on our capacity to bring together all stakeholders and to develop a collaborative and flexible system poised to take on new challenges.

At the same time, we must recognize that the pool of technology platforms in Quebec and Canada is one of the cornerstones underpinning this system. University platforms group together a variety of tools, equipment, infrastructure, expertise and services designed to support university research and, to some extent, industrial research.

Médicament Québec grew out of these findings and out of a clear desire to increase the autonomy of Quebec and Canada and to build a real drug supply chain that can ensure a more solid local supply and create innovative solutions for the benefit of society.

Médicament Québec focuses on the development of structuring and collaborative platforms. With support from the Quebec government's department of the economy, innovation and energy, over $24 million was allocated to 20 structuring projects. These projects generated almost $18 million in return in strategic areas such as small‑molecule drugs, vaccines and RNA‑based therapies.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm sorry. Excuse me, Ms. Trudeau. I am getting voices. Is there anybody else, or is it just me? I know I'm hearing voices, but there you go.

I'm hearing voices above and beyond the interpreter. I don't know if someone.... Maybe it's you, Ms. Trudeau. Do you have your microphone open? Is there someone else in the room with you?

[Arianne Trudeau]

No. I'm alone.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I don't know where it's coming from. It may be that our members' staff want to tone it down a bit. I don't know. I'm just suggesting it because I'm hearing this sound and it's distracting.

Thank you. I'm sorry. Go ahead. We stopped the clock for this little intrusion, Ms. Trudeau.

[Arianne Trudeau]

No worries. Thank you very much.

These investments helped to boost innovation, create new organizations, attract new partners and strengthen key links in the drug supply chain.

Médicament Québec has made collaboration between academia and the industry its top priority at every level. Médicament Québec drew on the contribution of over 125 partners, including 62 companies in the life sciences ecosystem, to carry out its programs and activities.

As Médicament Québec prepares to roll out the third round of funding over the coming years, I would like to share a few recommendations with you today.

First, it's vital to encourage and require collaboration at all levels—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Excuse me, Ms. Trudeau.

Go ahead, Ms. Konanz.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I'm having trouble hearing. I wonder if you could turn up the volume.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Have you turned it all the way to the top?

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

It's all the way to the top.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We've stopped the clock, Ms. Trudeau.

[Arianne Trudeau]

Can you hear me clearly now?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Let's try it again.

Go ahead.

[Arianne Trudeau]

Federal and provincial granting agencies are increasingly encouraging research in partnership with the industry. Yet the university grants available often require quid pro quos from the industry, without these partners having the opportunity to benefit from the grants. In contrast, public funding for the industry requires little collaboration with academia.

Just as certain contracts awarded to defence companies require reinvestment in the Canadian economy, the government could require that a set percentage of any public investment in a life sciences company goes towards research and development activities in partnership with academia. These two‑way partnerships benefit all stakeholders in the ecosystem and create real benefits for society.

The second recommendation is to develop clear guidelines and specific objectives for pharmaceutical sovereignty to ensure consistent approaches. Networking requires clear guidelines, in order to strengthen the positioning of certain strategic sectors or critical components of the value chain. The goal is to make a significant contribution to the implementation of government strategies, policies or plans.

Ultimately, the resulting strategies must be implemented by hybrid teams made up of academic and industry players in order to address specific challenges and produce truly structuring results. We must avoid, at all costs, supporting projects or platforms in silos that remain limited to a single organization.

A better organization of the services provided will prevent the duplication of resources and the development of services sometimes unnecessarily split among several institutions. It also helps to secure and optimize the investment of public funds.

Lastly, as Canada works toward achieving its commitment of raising military spending, all eyes are turned to defence-related or dual-use research. Once the primary focus of the COVID-19 pandemic, the life sciences sector has been pushed to the background in favour of uncrewed systems, quantum technologies and AI. However, pharmaceutical sovereignty should be discussed more widely through a health security lens and should not become an afterthought. Ensuring the health of both civilian and military populations is a real value driver for a nation, regardless of geopolitical climate.

Sustained government support, whether it be financial or through public policies, for industry, academia or both, is required to maintain a vibrant and robust domestic life sciences ecosystem that can fully contribute to pharmaceutical sovereignty. Government should avoid buzzword-driven ephemeral approaches and instead strive to implement sustainable public policies and funding supported by evidence-based data and robust risk analysis that reflects an integrated vision of Canada's life sciences sector. Although many—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Wrap up, please, Ms. Trudeau. You have gone over time. I wanted you to finish your sentence.

When the question-and-answer period comes, you will get to elaborate on something you didn't get to say in your opening remarks. You can take advantage of this when that happens.

[Arianne Trudeau]

That's perfect.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

Now we will go to the question-and-answer section. It begins with a six-minute round, including both the questions and answers. I will once again allow a couple of seconds of leeway for people to finish their thoughts, but I will not allow people to go over the time limit.

We'll begin with Mr. Strauss from the Conservative Party.

You have six minutes, please.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Hughes, The Globe and Mail reports that two people died in Winnipeg following donations at a Grifols plasma centre. At least one of the people who died was a young immigrant woman. I believe she was 22. She was an international student from Nigeria.

I'm wondering how your organization, or you personally, would approach the ethics around a case like this.

[Mary Hughes]

Madam Chair, let me start by saying that the health and safety of our plasma and our donors is our utmost priority. We were deeply saddened by the passing of two individuals in Winnipeg, and our condolences go to their families.

Under Health Canada, we report any serious adverse event that occurs within 72 hours of a plasma donation, irrespective of whether there's potential causality.

Today, there is no correlation between their deaths and plasma donation. I've been with Grifols for 25 years. I am not aware of any evidence-based correlation between plasma donation and death in those 25 years. Plasma donation is a safe, low-risk procedure.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

I'm sorry to interrupt you, but we're short on time.

As I read The Globe and Mail report, which is what I'm working off of—I'm not an investigative journalist—it sounds as though death occurred in a totally healthy woman. I assume your organization screens folks to make sure they are totally healthy. She died either while hooked up to a donation machine or shortly after being disconnected. This seems to be a correlation. It seems as though we're avoiding the fact that there's an obvious correlation there.

Are you sure you maintain that there's no correlation between the donation and the passing?

[Mary Hughes]

I will repeat, to be clear: Today there is no correlation between death and plasma collection.