Evidence of meeting #7 for Health in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Thank you, Mr. Linklater. That wasn't the question I asked. I have a very short period of time, so I'll take that as no, there's been no advice to the government on using any sort of legislative mechanism to get that information in a federal repository. Is that correct?
Federal Lead, Covid-19 Testing, Contact Tracing and Data Management Strategies, Department of Health
Our focus has been on working collaboratively with provinces and territories.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
This morning the Prime Minister suggested that businesses were better off because of lockdowns, and as a legislator, I've been trying to figure out, especially given the amount in these estimates, if the measures that have been put in place are actually working, especially given the projections on new caseloads.
I'm wondering if you could point me to any publicly available federal data that has been used—I guess this would be for Mr. Linklater—to suggest that repetitive COVID lockdown has a better impact on Canadian society than the negative societal impact of, let's say, job losses, mental health as was just discussed, or being separated from family.
I'm just trying to look at.... That's a big statement that was made this morning. Is there a publicly available repository of federal data, federally collected data, that I could use as a legislator to evaluate that statement?
Liberal
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
No, you might not start, Minister. I asked the question to Mr. —
Liberal
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
But you're a witness, Minister, so it's my time. Thank you.
Liberal
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
I have a point of order, Chair. On a point of order, Chair, a point of order.
I understand—
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
I hear your point of order. I will take up your point of order in due course.
It is appropriate for us to treat the witnesses with respect and courtesy, and I believe if the minister wishes to answer questions that are put to her officials, I think she's entitled to do so—
Conservative
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
On a point of order, Chair, this is my time to question witnesses, and quite frankly, when you suggest that it is not respectful for me to ask for information on how data is being used and collected on interventions that are costing millions of jobs and thousands of lives, I frankly, as a woman, find it kind of sexist, because that's always what you say to me: “Oh, it's being disrespectful.”
These are tough questions, and I get to ask them to whomever I want. It is my job as a parliamentarian, and I'm tired of this. I understand the minister might not like the question, but I am the person who gets the floor. Am I clear?
Liberal
Tony Van Bynen Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order. My point of order, Mr. Chair—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Hold it. Hold up.
Ms. Rempel Garner, I did not say you were disrespectful for asking the question. I just said that it's appropriate for the witnesses to have time to answer the questions that are asked.
November 20th, 2020 / 2:25 p.m.
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Do not interrupt me, please.
The minister is responsible for her officials. If she wishes to answer on their behalf, I'm perfectly ready, willing and able to accept that.
Conservative
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
I have a point of order, Chair. I am not done with my point of order, Chair. You have not ruled on my point of order—
