Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Rempel Garner has said much of what I was going say. I understand Mr. Van Bynen's motion and what he's trying to achieve, but I don't think this report should.... If the analysts have the time, they're able to manage that and they want to work on that in their own time, I can understand that, but that report should not in any way interfere with the ongoing study of this committee into what is now going into vaccines.
As part of the mental health study, we've heard from the witnesses that one of the root causes of people's stress, mental health and anxiety right now is not knowing when access to vaccines is going to be happening and not having home-based and rapid testing. If we really want to address people's mental health, we have to give them some answers. On those answers right now, the most critical thing is vaccines and where they are and what the distribution plan is going to be.
I have nothing against Mr. Van Bynen's motion, as long as that study in no way impedes what this committee is going to be doing next into vaccines. Mr. Davies may have a further point in regard to the fact that the NDP's priority is going to come up after the vaccine study. He may see that as equally important to how the Conservative members on this committee feel on the vaccine.
I agree that the impact on mental health as a result of COVID is immense and profound. We've all heard that from our witnesses. We've seen the statistics that have been released. We saw the suicide numbers from across Canada as a result of an Order Paper question released yesterday. Alberta, my province, was the second-highest in the country, behind Ontario. We understand the impact this is having, but the root cause and the number one priority with Canadians that I think all of us are hearing right now is vaccines—where are they?
Unfortunately, the news just keeps getting worse and worse every day. Our Alberta health minister earlier this week came out saying that we are getting zero deliveries this week. Our delivery access from the feds will be reduced by 80%, with 63,000 fewer vaccines provided to Albertans in this quarter. That is unacceptable. We need answers.
Mr. Van Bynen, I appreciate your push on the mental health aspect. I support that, but I cannot support this motion if it in any way impedes our study on vaccines.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.