Evidence of meeting #21 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was supplies.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
There was a reduction in the GPHIN alerts. They were not shut down.
Conservative
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
I don't have that number in front of me.
Conservative
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
What I'd like to state is—
Conservative
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I have no translation anymore and I wanted to be sure I understand this well.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Robert Gordon Kitchen
Ms. Vignola, we're just going to pause for a second until we figure out what's going on. It's the translation. Is that correct?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Robert Gordon Kitchen
Thank you, Ms. Vignola. We will try again.
Ms. Harder, carry on, please.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Thank you.
If you're not able to provide those numbers, which I find somewhat curious—it's quite convenient that you don't have those numbers in front of you—then why was the pandemic missed? If what you're saying is true, if the system was effectively in order, why was it missed?
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
The GPHIN detected a signal on December 30 of the COVID-19 pandemic and that signal was distributed on December 31, at which point a chain of action happened through the Public Health Agency. The GPHIN system did exactly what it needed to do and the issuance of an alert to international partners would have in no way impacted the domestic activity that took place, including the outreach that immediately happened from the chief public health officer to our colleagues across the country.
I would just like to state again for the record that the GPHIN program was not shut down and the critical component of the GPHIN daily report, which flagged the unusual cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, did go out on December 30.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
In your estimation then, the GPHIN was functioning exactly as it should and that is the best capability that Canada had at the time.
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
The GPHIN system did exactly as it needed to do in providing the signal that was detected of the unusual cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China. We at this point are looking forward to receiving the recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General's audit as well as recommendations from an external panel on the GPHIN program. As with any system and any program within the Government of Canada, we will welcome suggestions for continuous and ongoing improvement of that program.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I think it was already stated that there were significant reductions made.
You're saying that on December 31 a warning was delivered. It wasn't until two months later that Minister Hajdu was finally willing to acknowledge that maybe there was some problem. She still said it was low risk. It wasn't until two and half months later, after we received that first signal, that anything was actually actioned.
Why?
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
Officials have been asked today to come to the committee to speak to the national emergency strategic stockpile. Certainly, I can speak to issues on the GPHIN program. As I've stated, the signal was provided on December—.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Would advice be given to the health minister on how to act, based on the data being collected?
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
As I've said, the signal based on December 30 resulted in—
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I'm wondering if the information would be given to the minister and if she would be advised.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Robert Gordon Kitchen
Ms. Harder, if we could get a quick answer.... Ms. Evans, please proceed with that. Thank you.
Conservative
Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
The signal from the GPHIN system resulted in the chief public health officer alerting her colleagues and providing a system of readiness on the ground to watch for incoming cases. The risk assessment and decisions taken are outside the scope of the GPHIN program.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Robert Gordon Kitchen
Thank you.
We'll now go to Mr. Kusmierczyk for five minutes, please.