Finance Committee on June 1st, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Karina Gould]

Mr. Mazier, I'd remind you to stick to Bill C-30, please.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

She could answer, but she's choosing not to.

You mentioned the importance of health care in your opening statement and that Canadians need a strong health care system. With hundreds of thousands of people from around the world about to enter Canada for the FIFA World Cup, are you confident that your government's measures will ensure that Ebola will not enter and spread in Canada?

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

On a point of order, I'm sorry to have to keep doing this, but Mr. Mazier has already been told to focus on Bill C-30.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

She mentioned it in her opening remarks.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

I think I have the floor, Madam Chair.

Bill C-30 includes a number of measures relevant to the Minister of Health. I would ask the member to maybe pose some questions relevant to the legislation we're studying.

[The Chair, Liberal, Karina Gould]

Thank you, Mr. Turnbull.

Mr. Hallan, you have a point of order.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

I think the minister mentioned keeping Canadians safe and protected in her opening statement. It's very fair that these questions be asked.

[The Chair, Liberal, Karina Gould]

I'm reviewing the opening statement.

Certainly, Mr. Mazier, you can ask the question, and the minister can decide whether she's going to answer.

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Can he repeat the question, please?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

With hundreds of thousands of people from around the world about to enter Canada for the FIFA World Cup, are you confident that your government's measures will ensure that Ebola will not enter and spread in Canada?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

I think so, because we really took preventive measures. As I said before, the risk of Ebola arriving here in Canada is very low. We have taken a concerted approach with partners in the region.

As I said before, there is no game scheduled here in Canada between Canada and Congo or other affected countries. There are some in the United States and Mexico. We took a concerted regional approach. I think we've really taken the best steps we can.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

You said that Canada's Ebola response is intended to align with that of the United States. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued an order, effective May 18, blocking non-U.S. citizens who had been in the DRC, South Sudan or Uganda within the past 21 days from entering the United States.

Is your government considering doing the same?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

People who come from those exact three countries and are not Canadians cannot come to Canada. I don't quite understand the difference.

Can you clarify your question?

As far as I'm concerned, I know that we've suspended visas for people from those three countries who are not Canadian citizens or Canadian residents. Canadians and Canadian residents will still be able to return home.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Are you going to follow America more? You mentioned an alignment with the U.S. Is that your intention?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

No. We issued a joint statement with the Americans and Mexicans after discussing our measures. One of the differences is that the Americans, as I understand it, are not letting green card holders return home. They're just letting in American citizens, whereas we in Canada are also letting in residents along with Canadians.

Aside from that, I think we are aligned with the measures taken by the United States.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Minister, can you name one federal target that was achieved by PrescribeIT?

[The Chair, Liberal, Karina Gould]

Mr. Mazier, I'll remind you to stick to Bill C-30, please.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

On a point of order, Chair, this bill has everything to do with finances, and it's a so-called update. It should be very fair given the latitude that ministers usually have and that we should have for questions. I think it's very relevant.

[The Chair, Liberal, Karina Gould]

Thank you.

Did you have a following point of order, Mr. Mazier?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

In her opening remarks, she talked about modernizing health care. Of course, that's fully about what PrescribeIT was supposed to do.

[The Chair, Liberal, Karina Gould]

Carry on, Mr. Mazier.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Thank you.

Did you want me to repeat the question?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Yes, could you repeat it, please?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Can you name one federal target that was achieved by PrescribeIT?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

The results of the AI scribe program were very good. I don't think we should confuse things. You keep coming back to Canada Health Infoway. There have certainly been governance issues related to Canada Health Infoway. We've already discussed that.

It is true that the agency operates at arm's length from the government, but we are represented on its board of directors. I took the necessary steps to speak to my representative on the board, and measures were taken.

That said, what we need to realize is that this agency has done some good things, such as the AI scribe program, which has over 10,000 enrollments across the country.

I should also tell you that Quebec, as you know, has signed an agreement with Canada Health Infoway for data sharing.