I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting 24 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.
Pursuant to the order of reference of May 26, 2020, the committee will now continue its briefing on the Canadian response to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Pursuant to the motion adopted by the House on May 26, 2020, the committee may continue to sit virtually until Monday, September 21, 2020, to consider matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters. In addition to receiving evidence, the committee may now also consider motions, which shall be decided by way of a recorded vote. Finally, the House has also authorized our committee to conduct some of our proceedings in camera specifically for the purpose of considering draft reports or the selection of witnesses.
In order to facilitate the work of our interpreters and ensure an orderly meeting, I'd like to outline a few rules to follow.
Interpretation in this video conference will work very much as it does in a regular committee meeting. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either “floor”, “English” or “French”. Please speak slowly and clearly, and hold your microphone in front of your mouth as directed during the sound check.
If you will be speaking in both official languages, please ensure that the interpretation is listed as the language you will speak before you start. For example, if you're going to speak English, please switch to the English feed and then speak. This allows for better sound quality for interpretation. Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name, except during questioning of the witnesses when the witnesses may respond appropriately as the questioner requires. When you're ready to speak, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike. Should members need to request the floor outside of their designated time for questions, they should activate their mike and state that they have a point of order. I would remind everyone that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair. Should any technical challenges arise, please advise the chair or clerk immediately, and the technical team will work to resolve them.
I also draw your attention to the upper right-hand corner of your screen. There is a choice between “speaker view” and “gallery view” if you're on a PC. If you click to the “gallery view”, you'll be able to see all of the participants in a grid-like manner, and it will ensure that all video participants can see one another.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses. Each witness will have 10 minutes for an opening statement followed by the usual rounds of questions by members.
From the Battered Women's Support Services, we have Angela Marie MacDougall, executive director. From the Canadian Red Cross, we have Conrad Sauvé, president and chief executive officer. From the Carnegie Community Action Project, we have Fiona York, project coordinator and administrator. From Ornge, we have Dr. Homer Tien, president and chief executive officer. From the Region of Peel, we have Nancy Polsinelli, interim chief administrative officer.
We will begin with Ms. MacDougall.