Evidence of meeting #30 for Health in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was countries.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
No, but I thank you for asking these questions and raising—
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
—that because we're on the same page.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Are you contemplating the use of Magnitsky sanctions, yes or no?
Liberal
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
The record is clear, I think.
Thank you, Minister.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
We'll go now to Mr. Van Bynen and Dr. Powlowski. You have four minutes. You'll have to manage your time accordingly.
Please go ahead, Mr. Van Bynen.
Liberal
Tony Van Bynen Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank you and your team, Minister, for the tireless work at Global Affairs Canada, for what they have done and continue to do in bringing Canadians home during these challenging times.
How has the pandemic affected Canada's diplomatic footprint around the world? These people are the face of Canada around the world, so it would be good to get a sense of how many have returned to Canada, how many have stayed abroad and what the plans are in the coming months and years to return to a steady state, because our consular assistance is vitally important to Canadians abroad.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
I want to take a moment, as I think all parliamentarians do, to thank the front-line people. Some of them had to go through extraordinary times to provide assistance to Canadians. Some of them were subject to the same health, safety and movement restrictions. I can think of some of our colleagues in South America and some parts of Europe who have gone beyond the call of duty to help Canadians.
Now, with the deputy minister, we have a plan in place. The health and safety and our duty of care to our employees are key. We are looking at gradually making the rotation we normally do, making sure our embassies and our missions are staffed appropriately.
To answer a previous question from Mr. Thériault, when you were seeing some people getting answers from other missions, we pull together. In times of crisis like that, we pull resources from wherever they might be to make sure we can serve Canadians. Our main goal is to resume normal operations as soon as it's safe to do so, while at the same time looking at the rotation we normally do with our consular people. It's really on a case-by-case basis, and I would say even region by region.
I can assure you that we're looking at that, because I know Canadians rely on us. We are doing our utmost to provide consular assistance in many different ways. We know there are Canadians who are still stranded aboard, and we are doing everything we can to provide them help with medication and mental health support. We want to be there for them. We've been there for them since day one, and we'll continue to be there for them.
Liberal
Marcus Powlowski Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
I'll try to be quick.
Minister, we've had some great witnesses today who have shown that we can learn a lot from other countries in terms of management of the pandemic and that we're stronger as a country in dealing with this if we work together with other nations. Furthermore, we know that as long as this pandemic burns anywhere in the world, there are going to be sparks flying off and we're going to get a recurrence of cases here.
Global co-operation in dealing with the pandemic, I think, is really fundamental everywhere in the world managing the pandemic. Yet, we also heard from a witness today that the core funding of the WHO is less than the funding of some large hospitals in the United States. Would you be willing to consider Canada increasing its core funding to the WHO and encouraging other countries to also increase their core funding of the WHO in the future?
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
First, let me thank you for the amazing work you have been doing. I learned of you recently, as a colleague. You've been doing amazing work in many places in the world. You have really made a difference, not only now, but previously in your life as a doctor.
Certainly, I think this is part of the review, as Mr. Genuis was asking me about. We are front and centre when it comes to the review of the alert system of the missions, of the financing and funding of these institutions. If we want them to prevent the next crisis, assuming the next crisis will be a health crisis, we need to make sure we are present and engaged, and we will continue to be, as part of this review.
Funding of these organizations is clearly front and centre in our mind, to make sure we can ensure the health and safety of Canadians, but also the rest of the planet. That's going to be part of the review. I would not rule out anything at this particular time. We want to make a difference.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you, Dr. Powlowski.
Next is Monsieur Desilets.
Monsieur Desilets, you have two minutes. I will have to be very strict on the time. Please go ahead.
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
I'll be using this time, Mr. Chair, if that's okay with you.
Minister, I have a question and I'd like a “yes”, “no” or “maybe” answer, since we are limited on time.
Earlier, the last question I asked you was whether you would be prepared to compensate people you weren't able to bring home, people whose travel insurance had run out and who had incurred major medical expenses. Is that something you'd consider?
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
The relationship between an insured person and the insurance company is a private one. What we did was undertake emergency repatriation to help Canadians.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
I understand what you're asking, but—
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
I told you that you weren't able to bring them home, that their insurance coverage had run out and that they would have to pay out of pocket for medical expenses. Are you prepared to compensate them? Please answer, “yes”, “no” or “maybe”.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Thériault, if you're referring to people who are still in that situation, please say so and tell me where they are, because we are still bringing people home. As far as I know, we have brought the vast majority of Canadians home. Although the operation is largely complete, if people still need our assistance, please advise me in writing and we will definitely look at what we can do to bring them back to Canada.
Bloc
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
I encourage you to look to the European Union, which completed its repatriation operation weeks ago. Canada's efforts are ongoing, making us one of the few countries still working to bring people home through emergency repatriation, and it will remain that way as long as necessary. If, however, you know of people in need of assistance, let us know and we will see what we can do to help them.
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
I hope that applies to all members and that they can call you as well.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Absolutely.
At the height of the crisis, I was receiving 600 emails a day, so I've responded to quite a few members. If anyone is aware of outstanding cases, they can still let me know. We are continuing to help people, either to provide assistance where they are or to bring them home.