Thank you for the question.
Indeed, the sense of urgency is not because of any specific threat. I want to tell Canadians through you, Mr. Chair, that we're monitoring the entire world, and in fact it's our monitoring of the world that the rest of the world relies on, because we're so involved in that kind of technology.
What I can tell you is that if we don't have statutory authority and a statutory basis, I think we could in a sense not be as prepared as we should be. I'm not trying to over-dramatize that, but it is unusual to exist for years through orders in council when clearly this is a matter that the Chief Public Health Officer and others would require, for accountability reasons if nothing else, to have some sort of statutory authority
Once those authorities and tools are in place, we know we have the ability to effectively respond to whatever public health emergency or threat--be it a pandemic or some other infectious disease--we face. We know we'll have the clear legal authorities to collect, use, and disclose information. We know that the CPHO will have the authority to communicate with the Canadian public.
I think it underlines our commitment to public health and to promoting the health and lives of Canadians. That's why we want this legislation passed as soon as possible.