Evidence of meeting #2 for Health in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was china.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
In the span of 12 days, 18 cases were reported. In the span of a single day, Saturday, 37 cases were reported. That's what we heard in your opening statement. Thirty-seven cases were reported in Quebec City, Ottawa, Edmonton and other secondary airports.
Vice-President, Travellers Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Those were people who indicated that they were—
Conservative
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Yes, those who reported feeling ill.
February 3rd, 2020 / 5:15 p.m.
Vice-President, Travellers Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
—in Hubei province, not—
Conservative
Vice-President, Travellers Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
That's correct. That represents 37 cases, but 18 is the number of cases in which—
Conservative
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
I see.
In those cases, did you have cause to enforce section 18 of the Quarantine Act and arrest anyone?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you, sir.
Your time is up.
We go now to Mr. Kelloway for five minutes.
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Thanks so much, Mr. Chair.
Like my colleague next to me, I want to thank you for your efforts. It's an educational moment for me as a committee member but also for Canadians, I think, to see the integrated fashion of how we do what we do. I really appreciate all the efforts.
This question is around human rights. Have Canadians in China reported any human rights concerns regarding the travel restrictions they face in the province of Hubei?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Consular, Security and Emergency Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
In terms of the consular response, we've not received any reports that I'm aware of on human rights concerns. People have informed us that they are subject to general restrictions amongst the population in terms of their ability to leave and depart Hubei province.
The calls we've received on the consular side have been focused on the need for government assistance to help them depart a quarantined zone.
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
In terms of numbers, what is the volume of those types of requests, comments or questions?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Consular, Security and Emergency Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Do you mean in terms of the numbers of calls that we receive?
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Yes, it's calls or comments and things of that nature that may come your way from people there.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Consular, Security and Emergency Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I don't have the exact numbers here.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Consular, Security and Emergency Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
We receive thousands and thousands of calls. We have 50 people receiving calls on a 24-7 basis, and they're busy.
Liberal
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Boy, I might be hitting a record here for questions asked in a committee, but that's fine.
For me and for people watching, regarding the consular services and supports that are available for Canadians in China, what are the average services you provide to Canadians in China that we should be aware of?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Consular, Security and Emergency Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
There's a really wide range of consular services provided, ranging from a very routine provision of information all the way through to complex consular case support in cases of detention, illness, death abroad and a whole range of difficult situations in which Canadians can find themselves when they travel.
Our responses are tailored to the individual case. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Our officers have one of the most challenging jobs in our department in terms of dealing with families who are often in great distress. Family members here in Canada often have a high level of anxiety, especially when they're separated from their relatives and loved ones who are in a difficult situation abroad. We work both with families here in Canada and directly with the clients on the ground.
Typically, it's our missions and consulates that engage directly with the clients. From headquarters, we do our best to work with families to facilitate the flow of information. In cases of medical emergencies and illnesses like the ones associated with the coronavirus, we refer them to hospitals, we can help find translation services and we can liaise with insurance companies.
There is a really wide range of assistance. Our officers are trained to look for solutions.
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
It's a bit of a one-stop shop for a lot of different requests and services.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Consular, Security and Emergency Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Yes. Then we can be the connecting point to the other agencies in the Government of Canada that might need to provide support, whether it's on border services, immigration or other aspects. We're the family liaison focal point for Canadians.
Liberal
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
There you go. If I can, I would like to defer to my colleague next to me.