Evidence of meeting #19 for Canada-China Relations in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vaccine.
A video is available from Parliament.
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University and Director, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, As an Individual
There wasn't from the company's standpoint. From the company's standpoint, it was part of the agreement that they would be transferring that technology to Canada.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
I take it then that, based on what you're telling us so far, your undertaking of research and your Canadian Center for Vaccinology is fully aware of the concerns that have been talked about from time to time in terms of research and the concerns that have been raised about a potential for mitigating risks to intellectual property and all of that.
You seem to be fully aware of these dimensions of Canadian research being undertaken by your university. Am I right in assuming that?
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University and Director, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, As an Individual
That's correct. We're certainly aware of those concerns.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Has it ever been raised within your university that any other research activities or partnerships have given rise to suspicions or concerns about security?
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University and Director, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, As an Individual
I'm not personally aware of any research being done in my university, certainly not in my centre, where there were concerns that any of that information was being shared inappropriately with any foreign countries.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
However, you're the scientists, obviously, and you would be dealing with your colleagues at other universities as well on the issues related to your discipline and your research.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Pardon me, Mr. Harris. I'm sorry, but your time is up. Thank you very much.
This gives me an opportunity to thank—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Thank you, Mr. Harris. Sorry about that.
Dr. Halperin, thank you so much for being with us tonight.
I'm coming to you from Bedford, so I'm not very far away from you, also on Mi’kma’ki, obviously.
I'll give you a moment to disconnect. We have to carry on.
Mr. Genuis, do you have a point of order?
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Yes. Mr. Chair, I wonder if there is consensus among the committee to extend in order to give every party an opportunity to ask one additional question. I know that the bells are going to start ringing soon, but we've only had half an hour, which is fairly limited time for a witness.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Let me ask that question.
Is there anyone who objects to giving a couple of minutes each?
Mr. Genuis, I guess that's what you're saying is—
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
—two minutes each to each party.
Does anyone object to that?
Not seeing any objection, is Mr. Genuis next, or is it Mr. Chong?
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Dr. Halperin, thank you for appearing in front of us today.
In light of the experience you went through earlier last year, would you collaborate with CanSino in the future ?
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University and Director, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, As an Individual
I would absolutely still collaborate with them. It has been a very good collaboration with the individuals at CanSino.
I think before I got too far down the path I'd want to make sure that if there were a vaccine that I needed, we'd test it out to make sure it could be shipped so I didn't expend a lot of time and effort.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Do entities of the Canadian security apparatus ever sit down with you and talk to you about threats and risks coming from places such as China when it comes to intellectual property or national security?
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University and Director, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, As an Individual
Yes. I have met with members of CSIS multiple times in the past year and a half and went through—
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Is that a formal process or is it more ad hoc where they'll call you up and brief you? Is it a formalized process that you go through?
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University and Director, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, As an Individual
My interactions have been ad hoc, but as part of those conversations, I was told that they provide information routinely to the institutions where research is being done, particularly where they consider it to be high-risk research that is being done. They told me that they had met with members of my various institutions, the IT people in the institutions, about that risk.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
I assume you're familiar with the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University and Director, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, As an Individual
Absolutely.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Were you surprised when those researchers were escorted out of that laboratory?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Sorry, Mr. Halperin. I'm afraid we'll have to wait for that answer, because the two minutes are up. It's a very short, lightning round.
Mr. Lightbound, you have the floor for two minutes.