Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the presenters today for their opening remarks.
Dr. Tam, I, too, want to begin by saying that I have great respect for the work that you have done, and that we are appreciative of the time and energy that you and your team have put forth in these past few months. I also know that your public availability on a regular basis only adds to your workload, but it certainly is appreciated.
In your opening remarks, Dr. Tam, you mentioned moving forward and that all levels of government are committed to working together toward a shared, evidence-based approach to the cautious lifting of public health measures with the primary objective of protecting the health of Canadians, taking into consideration regional differences.
I want to bring up elective surgeries throughout this country. We know that elective surgeries across Canada were put on hold as we braced for a wave of these COVID-19 cases in hospitals across the country. However, we are sacrificing the health and well-being of many thousands of Canadians with other equally significant health concerns.
Canadians expect the federal government to take a leadership position on this issue as it is its advice that provinces are relying on for guidance during this pandemic. Last week here in committee, Dr. Paul Dorian testified that these cancellations are costing lives. He said that he personally knew of four deaths in just one week in a hospital in the Toronto area, if I understood that correctly.
Dr. Tam, when do you see the cautious lifting of the hold on elective surgeries throughout this country?