I call this meeting to order.
Welcome, everyone, to meeting number 24 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health. The committee is meeting today to study the emergency situation facing Canadians in light of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I would like to remind everyone that everyone has the right to participate in these proceedings in the official language of their choice. In the event that there is difficulty in hearing translations, please bring it to our attention as soon as possible so that the matter can be resolved.
I would like to welcome the witnesses at this point. From the national advisory committee on immunization, we have Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, chair and professor, Université de Montréal. With the Department of Health, we have Dr. Marc Berthiaume, director, health and food branch, therapeutic products directorate, bureau of medical sciences. From the Public Health Agency of Canada, we have Ms. Kimberly Elmslie, vice-president, immunization branch; Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer; and Dr. Guillaume Poliquin, acting scientific director general, national microbiology laboratory.
I would just advise the speakers that I will be using these cards to indicate that your time is almost up. I will typically put up the yellow one about one minute before your time is up. I will use the red one when your time is up, and if you see it, please wrap up in due course.
With that, we will carry on with our presentations. We will start with Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh.
Doctor, please go ahead for 10 minutes.