Health Committee on June 8th, 2022

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

Yes, it's a program that is important not just for COVID vaccines but for all vaccines. It's there to address any vaccine adverse events that are serious following immunization, which I think from a public health perspective is a very important program, and it facilitates support for individuals who may have experienced adverse effects.

It is run by a third party. I'm not involved in the administration of the program. I think it's something that Canada needs, and it complements a program that Quebec has. I understand that the federal government is essentially providing Quebec with federal funding support so that it levels the playing field, essentially, for supports across Canada.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Dr. Hanley and Dr. Tam.

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Next we're going to Mr. Barrett, please, for five minutes.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the officials for joining us for this portion of the meeting.

I want to follow up with the Public Health Agency of Canada on some of my questions for the minister with respect to the June 30 timeline and the restrictions in place at the border. Are you able to provide us today with the metrics being used to sustain or to allow those restrictions to expire at the end of the month, please?

[Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar]

Mr. Chair, we have metrics that we use regularly in terms of how we provide advice.

The guidance advice is based on scientific evidence that is available on the effectiveness, availability and uptake of vaccines, what is evolving domestically and internationally, the epidemiological situation and the effectiveness of other public health measures at keeping people safe. These are a few of the metrics that are actually looked into in terms of making sure we have taken every reasonable precaution to protect health and safety.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

I appreciate that, Doctor. What I'm looking for here specifically is whether you can provide the goalposts so that Canadians will know when we've got the touchdown.

Before, we talked about a two-dose series of the COVID vaccine. We had wild uptake, very positive uptake, on that. We haven't seen the same with a third dose, but now, with the natural acquired immunity from omicron, with the portion of the population that has had a third dose and with the well over 80% of Canadians who have had a two-dose series, are we talking about vaccinations as the metric you're using? Or is it about waste-water surveillance? Is it about hospital capacity?

What I'm looking for is, instead of hearing what the basket of areas is that you're examining, do you have the numbers that you're using to advise on and, if you have them, are you able to provide them to this committee?

[Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar]

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned earlier, these criteria are the main ones we use. Of course, we take into consideration the waste-water surveillance; of course, we take into consideration all the other factors that were mentioned. We are continuing to look at that in a global context.

There aren't any firm numbers, or anything that it can really be pinned on in terms of saying that this is the.... It depends on how much vaccination coverage there is, what our current public health measures are and what our hospital capacity is. All of them are taken together.

We do the modelling, which is presented, and we base it on that. We continue to put together all of those public health measures, which include vaccinations and recommending a third dose, as per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization advice.

Quite a few of those are continually in ascent.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

I understand that, Doctor, and that's a similar answer to the one we've received from PHAC over a period of time. Really, though, there has to be a number that you've identified, at which it would be acceptable, in each of those epidemiologically important categories, that then you would make a recommendation that now is the time to lift the mandates.

In each of those areas, are you saying there is no number? In hospital capacity, there is no number, In waste-water surveillance, there is no number. In community transmission, there is no number. In vaccination uptake, there is no number, and in terms of community spread in other countries.... Once those numbers are hit, would it not be safe for vaccine and mask mandates to be lifted?

[Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar]

Mr. Chair, what I am actually saying is that all of these variables are taken into consideration, and—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

We understand that, sir, but what are the numbers?

[Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar]

As I mentioned, Mr. Chair, this is a combination of different metrics. There aren't any specific numbers that we could actually cite, because it depends upon the activity of the virus in the different communities as well as the different settings, and also the protection that is provided to the population from vaccinations and other public health measures, like masking, handwashing and others.

There is a multitude of combinations of factors that allow us to give that kind of public health advice.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Mr. Barrett and Dr. Kochhar.

Next, we're going to go to Ms. Sidhu, please, for five minutes.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to all the officials for being with us. My question is for Dr. Tam.

Dr. Tam, we know that institutions like UBC have programs like mini med, which is an engagement program that attracts youth to learn more about science and inspires them to become doctors, scientists, researchers and more.

You have been at the forefront of this pandemic response. What are your thoughts on how we can continue to empower youth to enter the STEM fields?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

It is really important. We want to attract people to all scientific domains, including public health. I hope people will consider public health.

It means beginning not just at the university stage, but in high school, with making sure that even at that stage there is good support for students, especially girls, for example, in terms of certain STEM fields, where there is a gender imbalance that needs to be addressed.

I certainly have met with a lot of university faculties to try to promote that aspect of scientific capacity building. In my last report, in 2021, I indicated that a strong public health workforce is absolutely critical to our future preparedness, and for all sorts of complex public health challenges. It is really important for us to build capacity. Of course, there is also investment, from the research side, into universities that can support students in pursuing a scientific career.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you, Dr. Tam.

The next question is maybe for Health Canada.

We know that a poor diet, particularly a diet that is high in sodium, sugar and saturated fat, is one of the major risk factors of chronic diseases.

I recently met with the Canadian Celiac Association. We know that some people with chronic and autoimmune diseases must follow a strict diet, like a gluten-free or low-sodium diet. This can present challenges, especially for low-income Canadians who may not have those kinds of means.

Can you provide an update on the work that is being done to improve access to healthy food for people in need of that kind of diet?

Health Canada or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can answer that.

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

Mr. Chair, perhaps I'll start, and Dr. Mithani may wish to comment as well.

Health Canada contributes to the overall objectives in healthy eating and food policy through guidance on and awareness of healthy eating, including Canada's food guide and its work to support awareness, nutritional guidance, food nutritional labelling, and voluntary initiatives with industry, such as sodium reduction.

It also works with partners at Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Employment and Social Development Canada to address issues of food affordability, where the other departments have the lead. Health Canada provides scientifically based advice on nutritious eating and food alternatives that can help people with dietary and health-related restrictions, as well as on overall healthy eating to support good health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Do you wish to comment, Dr. Mithani?

[Dr. Siddika Mithani]

The only thing I would like to add is that the role of the CFIA is to look at labelling issues with respect to food products. Our mandate is focused on food safety. Therefore, we ensure that undeclared allergens, issues of food safety, and risks for special populations are clearly looked at when we look at the labelling of food.

We are also involved in the enforcement side or approach. That is what we do. We work very collaboratively with Health Canada to ensure that enforcement is based on risk. When there are high-risk, targeted products, our focus is there.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Dr. Mithani and Ms. Sidhu.

Mr. Thériault, you have two and a half minutes.

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

First of all, Mr. Chair, when I was speaking with the minister earlier about the problems of circumventing the Cannabis Act, the minister mentioned that Mr. Lucas could provide us with a document outlining what has been done and what needs to be done. I would like that document to be tabled in committee.

Next, I would like to come back to a point that was raised earlier on Bill C‑5.

In all likelihood, this bill, which includes an important component for fighting drug addiction, should be passed. It introduces diversion measures. We agree that addiction problems must first and foremost be linked to public health and not strictly be a matter for the justice system.

Let's take Portugal as an example. Architect Dr. Goulão said that if the necessary resources weren't put on the front lines, if there wasn't any investment, if there were no means to carry out this diversion process, it would be better to leave it in the hands of the justice system.

The bill will be passed. Have you started discussions with the provinces, territories and Quebec on how to implement it, or are you going to leave people to fend for themselves?

This is a good example of why we need increased health transfers. The bill is about giving more responsibility to people on the ground and to front‑line workers.

Are we going to leave drug addicts on the street, without a criminal record, without them being prosecuted? This will not solve anything.

Where are the discussions on that? If you haven't started, when are you going to?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

Thank you for the question.

Health Canada has worked closely with provinces and territories, community stakeholders, people with lived experience, and partners such as labour unions and trade associations to tackle the problem of toxic drug supply and the opioid overdose crisis. We have invested over $800 million to date, including through the emergency treatment fund—$150 million was transferred to the provinces and territories to support treatment. This has been supplemented by investments through the substance use and addictions program, which supports projects in partnership with provinces, community partners and others.

The government has invested $6 billion in mental health and addictions work through the provinces and territories, including wraparound services like the Foundry Project in British Columbia and other similar projects throughout the country, which support children and youth and get them the support, harm reduction and treatment services they need.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Dr. Lucas.

Thank you, Mr. Thériault.

We have Mr. Davies, please, for two and a half minutes.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Dr. Tam, on March 11, my colleague Daniel Blaikie and I wrote you a letter asking for your review of federal vaccine mandate policy, and at your appearance before this committee on March 21, you noted that Transport Canada and other departments were in the process of reviewing vaccine policies related to domestic travel. Can you tell us when we might expect the product of that review?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

No, because it is up to the transport minister and, of course, for federal workers and relevant sectors, it's up to the Treasury Board minister as well.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Is it your view as Canada's chief medical officer that there's a medical or health basis to the vaccine mandate on federal transportation like airlines? Is that still valid at this point?