Health Committee on June 20th, 2022

[Kathy Thompson]

The Minister of Health, Minister Duclos, did indicate last week that the primary series is going to need to include three doses, but we do know, from the vaccine science, that vaccines continue to be very effective, particularly against fighting the severity of the virus. There is also some protection offered in terms of transmission, but we do know that, unlike delta, it does wane over time. The vaccines are still very effective to prevent severe illness and death.

In terms of the vaccines, we continue, along with Dr. Tam, the public health officer, to encourage Canadians to be up to date in terms of their vaccination. It's still the best protection that's available to Canadians.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

I understand that. Since we know that it is really not preventing transmission, and we know that even the Prime Minister has had three doses of vaccine and has had COVID twice.... This is more of a comment than a question. It really befuddles me how you could possibly require Canadians to get a third dose of that particular vaccine. That doesn't seem sensical to me. It seems nonsensical, in fact.

Anyway, that being said, I think that's certainly something that bears looking at.

Mr. Chair, I'd like to give notice of the following motion:

That the committee undertake a study into the domestic and international roles of the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg; that this study include discussions into the research being done at this facility, the safety and security measures in place, and the implications of recent international media stories regarding its scientific integrity; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Thank you, and I'll cede the rest of my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

To Ms. Goodridge or to the next person on the list...?

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

To the next person on the list, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Mr. Ellis.

Next, we have Mr. Hanley for six minutes, please.

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to all of the representatives from the agency for attending today.

I'd like to start with Dr. Poliquin. It's good to see you again. I know you've spoken previously to this committee on updates. One of the subject areas is around genomics.

Could you update the committee on how genomics has helped us respond to the pandemic in its more recent phases, and maybe you could comment on the modelling exercises you are currently undertaking?

[Dr. Guillaume Poliquin, Vice-President, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

On the question of genomics, the national microbiology lab continues to work very closely with provinces and territories under the guise of the “variant of concern” strategy. Under this initiative, we have seen a significant acceleration in the capacity to do genomics studies in Canada, going from a capacity of approximately 3,000 sequences per month in December of 2020 to 25,000 to 30,000 sequences per month currently.

Canada has become the fifth-largest contributor of sequences to the global database, with approximately 400,000 sequences coming from Canada. What that translates to in real terms has been the ability, in essence, to monitor viral evolution in close-to-real time here in Canada. Through that, we have been able to look at the arrival of the delta wave. We were able to detect the arrival of omicron within days of its arrival in Canada. We have been able to use that information, in partnership with public health authorities, to help with decision-making.

Moving forward we continue to use this capacity to monitor for the emergence of new variants. We have seen more recently the sublineages of omicron—BA.4 and BA.5, for example—and we are able to track these very closely to inform public health decision-making.

On the issue of modelling, genomics modelling and other monitoring activities work hand in hand. Through our modelling programs we have two main thrusts of work.

The first is on short-term forecasting, for which we use real data from cases, from vaccinations, and we are able to provide an estimate of the trajectory of the pandemic in the coming weeks. We supplement that with dynamic modelling, in which we are able to add new science about how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, transmits and evolves. These dynamic models give us a longer-term view of expected changes in the pandemic. Through these models, for example, we continue to look for what may come in the fall, which reinforces the need for Canadians to stay up to date with vaccination and to be mindful of their health choices as we navigate the pandemic.

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Thank you.

I wonder whether, on that note, you can give us any inkling of what you are anticipating. We're always looking towards the next season, whether that's the summer season of travel and gatherings or the fall return to school or the winter of being back inside. There's always another season coming. What are you seeing in terms of patterns for late summer into fall at this point?

[Dr. Guillaume Poliquin]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

At this time we are seeing overall in Canada a stabilization in rates of transmission, though as Ms. Thompson indicated, we are seeing some early signs of increased activity in some regions, which we are following closely.

It is notable that we have seen, for example, an atypical flu season with higher than expected transmission rates currently. As a result we are looking forward to a fall with a potential recurrence in activity driven by people moving inside, closer contacts and the return to school, but also due to the interplay of additional viral pathogens, more traditional, making a bit of a return.

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Thanks.

Mr. Chair, do I still have time for one more question?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Yes, indeed. You have one full minute.

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

I wonder.... I forget what my question was. There are so many questions.

It's for whoever can jump in, but maybe this would be back to Ms. Evans. Just on that note, I wonder about your strategies for getting Canadians to get their doses—we know that we have a lag in third dose uptake—in anticipation of what might be coming at us in the fall.

[Kathy Thompson]

Mr. Chair, I'll redirect that question to Mr. Bent.

[Stephen Bent, Vice-President, COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Task Force, Public Health Agency of Canada]

In terms of encouraging Canadians to take the third dose as we continue to work very closely with our provincial and territorial partners in the context of communication to Canadians, Dr. Tam is out frequently reminding Canadians of the importance of keeping their vaccinations up to date, including third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Our intention is to continue to work with our provincial and territorial colleagues over the summer and into the fall, with joint planning and communications strategies and outreach to encourage Canadians to take their third dose.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Mr. Bent.

Mr. Garon, go ahead. You have six minutes.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Bloc Québécois has argued that decisions about vaccine mandates, restrictions at airports and the lifting of those restrictions should be made by government scientists, not politicians or the House of Commons. After all, the considerations are highly scientific.

The Minister of Transport recently announced that some airport restrictions would be lifted, so I would like to know what the experts at the Public Health Agency of Canada provided in terms of new data prompting the minister's decision.

Are some decisions rooted in science or only politics?

[Kathy Thompson]

Good afternoon, Mr. Chair.

As I said a few moments ago, the data and studies were carefully examined. We are also in contact with scientists all over the world and experts in Canada. We work very closely with our provincial and territorial counterparts, indigenous peoples and other partners to ascertain where the situation stands. We examine the data rigorously. We collect data in a number of ways, including waste water analysis and the collection of data at the border, vaccination rates and so forth. We also pay attention to hospitalization rates.

For example, if we look at how many people were hospitalized during the first week of May, we see that they were unvaccinated in many cases. That's why we continue to promote vaccination—

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Sorry to cut you off, but I'm quickly running out of time.

My question for you is this. Was last week's decision by the Minister of Transport based on new information or new recommendations provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada?

Did something happen prompting the Minister of Transport to take action when he did?

[Kathy Thompson]

The Public Health Agency of Canada regularly provides evidenced-based advice. You asked me whether the data had changed. The data have certainly changed since the vaccine mandate was introduced in the fall of last year. The situation has changed since. That's the type of information we generally provide to the government when we deliver advice. That's what we provide, in consultation with the experts—

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Forgive me for cutting you off.

What I gather, then, is that, on the basis of that evidence and expertise provided to the minister, the decision could have been made the week before, two weeks before, three weeks before or what have you.

I'm just trying to understand what role science played in the decision. Clearly, the restrictions were introduced a long time ago. The decision could have been made three weeks ago, four weeks ago or two weeks ago.

The Public Health Agency of Canada did not say that it was time to lift or ease airport restrictions. That's not what happened.

[Kathy Thompson]

The information continues to evolve. We always have studies to examine or understand and other experts to consult. The information is constantly changing. I would say that the government's decision is in line with the data we examine and the direction in which the pandemic is headed right now.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Was that same decision in line with what you were seeing three weeks or five weeks earlier, or a week later?

[Kathy Thompson]

As I said, the data changes constantly. There are always studies in progress. It is a very dynamic field. On an ongoing basis, we analyze studies, consult experts, and gather advice. The government definitely needs time to assess the information provided to it.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

I understand. The minister has been less dynamic than the studies, that is for sure.

Are officials at the Public Health Agency of Canada still very worried that variants that have developed elsewhere, in places where fewer vaccines are available or the vaccination rate is low, could show up in Canada and cause damage, new waves, and new complications?

[Kathy Thompson]

We are of course studying the new variants very carefully. We have implemented border measures in part because of that.

I will let Dr. Poliquin speak about the new variants.