Evidence of meeting #48 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was conveyance.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Colleen Beaumier Liberal Brampton West, ON
I'm wondering why we have to get this through quickly. We're talking about lessening the safeguards that are already in place, so why do we have to rush to make things less secure?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Let me put it this way to the committee. We are out of time. We have some suggestions. We either need more witnesses or perhaps we need to just go back and take a look at the bill and reflect on what we've heard. At that time, perhaps at the next meeting, we can discuss when we would like to bring it forward for clause-by-clause or further witnesses. That will be determined based on what I hear from the committee. Would that be fair?
Madame Gagnon.
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a last question to our witness.
In regards to what you presented, you said several times that these proposals go further than international standards. I may have misunderstood, but I would like you to tell me where it goes further.
Director General, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Public Health Agency of Canada
We believe that there are two specific improvements to the legislation. The previous version only mentioned the closest point of entry while now we say that it is at the receiving port of destination. Furthermore, instead of talking about a designated authority, as we know that this is a public health and quarantine issue, the law will now specify that it will be a quarantine officer.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
All right. I want to thank the witnesses for coming forward. We may want to call you back again. We'll reserve that privilege to do so.
We have a situation wherein we have suggestions for a couple of witnesses. At the next meeting, we can perhaps hear from the clerks as to when we can fit it into our schedule. We'll need to have a little debate on it. We'll hopefully have some time in the next meeting to be able to make it happen.
Liberal
Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville, ON
Mr. Chair, at the next meeting, can we schedule at least half an hour for a little planning?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Yes, perhaps we can. I think we should distribute this calendar for the committee as well. At the next meeting, we're back on CDR, and there are three witnesses who are confirmed.
Let's do it, yes.
Liberal
Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville, ON
Mr. Chair, I would remind you that any terms of reference for a study, work plan, and calendar have to be approved by the committee. We appreciate the work you've done in getting it ready, but you're now distributing something that only you have approved.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
I am not really, no. The committee didn't want the terms of reference, and it was the directive we were going on. We want to take a look at the CDR. We have done it, and it's been advertised.
Liberal
Liberal
Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville, ON
When was the meeting? It was prior to the latest membership. You have six new members, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
We will set aside half an hour at the next meeting, and we will then discuss the direction of the study at that time.
Very quickly, Mr. Fletcher.
Conservative
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
Sure. In regard to the next meeting where we'll talk about this, I think it's fine to bring more witnesses to alleviate the concerns of committee members. In fact, I'll even suggest that we have a briefing by the department to help expedite this so as not to take up too much committee time.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
We've had the briefing.
We will call the meeting adjourned, and we will deal with this at the next meeting.