Health Committee on Feb. 26th, 2020

[Dr. Howard Njoo]

At this point, I don't have all the details, but there is a whole-of-government approach. There are regular, ongoing interdepartmental meetings to look at issues such as this. Even within the public health community, we are working closely with our partners at Indigenous Services Canada to look at issues that might apply to remote indigenous communities. The same kinds of issues that came up during H1N1 are certainly part of our thinking moving forward.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Is anybody in contact with other departments? We're asking people to self-isolate and self-quarantine, which would mean that people would have to miss work. There are also potentially implications for their being fired.

Last week in Toronto, we actually heard of those kinds of situations occurring. Is the whole-of-government approach dealing with other departments in terms of looking at potential support for employees, employers and businesses that are impacted by this? For example, we know that the restaurant business—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Ms. Kwan, could you wrap it up quickly?

[Dr. Howard Njoo]

The short answer is yes. We are having discussions.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

If the answer is yes, I wonder if that information can be brought back to the committee and shared with the committee.

On that note, last time I was here, I asked a question about asymptomatic cases and about contacting China directly about the potential spread of the virus for people who are asymptomatic. I wonder if we got a response for that, because I'm still waiting. I think that all of this information would be very useful, and it would be helpful for us to know the facts.

[Dr. Howard Njoo]

I can respond. In terms of the question of asymptomatic transmission, but also about the request to China, as we all know, there was a special WHO mission. There were a lot of experts, led by Canadian Dr. Bruce Aylward, who has just recently returned from China. There were a lot of intensive discussions, and it was much more effective in terms of gathering data and working with Chinese officials. Imminently, a report will be coming forward from that special mission. We, and people around the world, will obviously be looking at that report carefully.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Sorry, I just want to quickly respond. I know that WHO is intensely working on this and trying to gather information. My question the last time was asking the Canadian government to contact the Chinese authorities directly for this information.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

I recommend that you follow up with the minister.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Sorry, Mr. Chair, this was brought up at the committee the last time I was here, to you and to the committee, and I think the committee undertook to seek that information on behalf of the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

I did say that we would ask the minister about that, and I believe the minister and her department have contacted you directly on this matter since.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

No, they have not. I have not received a response on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you.

That brings this meeting to a close. Our time is up.

Thank you all very much for coming here on such short notice and giving us excellent information, and thank you for your patience. Perhaps we'll see you all again.

The meeting is adjourned.