Health Committee on Jan. 18th, 2022

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Thank you, Dr. Powlowski. I'll give you a few short sentences on that and then turn to Deputy Minister Lucas.

First, you're right to signal that we have the good fortune in Canada to be among the top four countries when it comes to the approval, the delivery and then the use of Paxlovid, the new antiviral treatment. That's obviously aligned with the other great successes we've achieved in Canada, which has been to be at the top of the vaccination league across the world for many months now.

Third, on the use of monoclonal antibodies, the clinical challenges and the use of that treatment, I'll turn to DM Lucas.

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Indeed, Health Canada has approved a number of treatments, including monoclonal antibodies, and there is use of some existing treatments such as tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis, which has been used to support treatment of patients with COVID.

Public Services and Procurement Canada, working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, has procured doses of a number of these treatments, including remdesivir, as noted, and tocilizumab, as well as sotrovimab, the GlaxoSmithKline monoclonal antibody that works relative to the omicron variant.

We are in close contact with provinces and territories in terms of determining their supply, working with them to reallocate to address areas of need and taking steps to procure more to address those needs going forward.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Thank you.

I have a question on the current requirement of a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Canada. I had one of my constituents complain. Well, he's not my constituent—he lives in Winnipeg—but his mother lives in my riding around Rainy River. Because of the 72-hour requirement, he is required to drive all the way around Lake of the Woods; if I could turn my camera, I'd show the snow squalls that are occurring right now in Thunder Bay. He is asking why he has to take this five-hour route when, if he went through the States, it would take him one hour to visit his mother, who is having health problems.

I know that the 72-hour requirement for a PCR test certainly I think seemed to make sense when we were worried about new variants coming into the country; however, right now, it seems to be overwhelmingly omicron on both sides of the border. Lots of people have it on both sides. I'm not sure if the 72-hour requirement for a PCR test still holds.

Is that going to be reconsidered? I know that this is a border measure; however, I'm sure that the people who are making that determination are informed by the Ministry of Health and Theresa Tam, so do you have any response to that, please?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Thank you.

I may start with first a recognition that you emphatically and correctly say, Marcus, that this is a very difficult time for everyone in Canada. We would all prefer that COVID-19 didn't exist, never existed and will end very soon. Unfortunately, we are in a different world, especially difficult for these special cases you mention, where there is a lot of stress from the family and health perspectives. These are difficult times for many people, and it's important that you are acknowledging this.

As you've also said—and I'll turn in a moment to see whether DM Lucas wants to add something—this is going to obviously be reconsidered as the situation evolves. We all hope that it will evolve quickly, but we're still at the very intense moment of the omicron crisis.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Be very quick, please, Dr. Lucas, as we want to get in one more questioner before we let the minister go. Thanks.

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

I'll turn to Dr. Tam for a brief response.

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

Yes, as the minister said, all the policies should be reviewed. Right now, we're in a massive omicron wave, so I think the layers of protection at the border are there for this period of time, and they should be evaluated as the situation evolves.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Dr. Tam.

Thank you, Dr. Powlowski.

Mr. Berthold, you have five minutes.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm sorry. I thought that the round was over. I'm happy to keep asking the minister questions.

Minister Duclos, it seems clear that, unfortunately, you didn't have many answers to our questions today on a number of issues.

We have questions, especially about the new treatment, Paxlovid, which is causing a great deal of concern. At yesterday's press conference, we learned that a positive test result was required to obtain the treatment.

Unfortunately, PCR tests are very difficult to obtain and there are long delays in getting results. Rapid tests are also still extremely difficult to obtain.

How will the Paxlovid treatment affect this omicron wave, Minister Duclos?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Berthold.

First, despite all the supply and approval challenges, Canada is among the top four countries in the world when it comes to the regulation and procurement of Paxlovid.

That said, as you also pointed out, this drug must be prioritized for the most vulnerable people. You listened carefully and accurately summarized the conversation that took place yesterday at the press conference.

Clinicians, doctors and nurses in every province and territory are doing this work as of today, since the treatment has been in the country for a few days.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Am I wrong in saying that this drug will have an extremely minimal impact on the current omicron wave?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

First, regardless of the availability of this type of treatment, vaccination is the most important tool—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I understand. We agree on that, Minister Duclos.

Sorry to go back to the treatment, but this is the news from yesterday. This was discussed yesterday. We've been waiting for this approval for a very long time.

People have been asking me a question since yesterday. Will this treatment alleviate the pressure on hospitals across Canada right now, as we face the omicron wave?

The answer is “yes” or “no”. Did this drug come too late to help us deal with the crisis?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

First, as I said, Canada is among the top four countries in the world in this area. So we're really leading the way.

Second, according to Pfizer's rules, this drug must be prioritized for vulnerable people.

Third, if you want, I can give the floor to Dr. Tam so that she can summarize the relationship between the current omicron situation and the clinical use of Paxlovid.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Thank you, but we'll have the chance to talk to Dr. Tam later.

Another treatment, Molnupiravir, is currently under review. We learned earlier that there was a potential contract for 500,000 doses with Merck to obtain this drug quickly.

What's the delivery schedule under your contract with Merck?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Delivery schedules are obviously always dependent on approval schedules. Here we are talking about a different drug that was proposed by a different company, as you quite correctly said.

If you would like more specific information as to where the approval process stands, we can turn to Deputy Minister Lucas.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

As I mentioned, fortunately we will have the opportunity to put questions to the deputy minister during the last hour. That said, Minister, thank you very much for the opportunity.

Lastly, I would like to ask you about border testing. Can you tell us how many tests are conducted each week at Canadian ports of entry, and what the positivity rate is for those tests?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Thank you very much for the question.

This is the answer: our capacity for all air travellers arriving from outside the United States is approximately 26,000 tests per day. Those 26,000 tests are conducted in a manner that varies according to the size and nature of the airports.

Now, in terms of the most recent positivity rates, I'm going to turn to Deputy Minister Lucas and Dr. Tam, who can give you the most accurate information.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Minister, you are responsible for these issues and you make the decisions. You will determine whether to continue to do PCR testing at the borders, and you will decide on the length of the quarantine. Will the federal government follow the provinces and the CDC and reduce the quarantine to five days?

I'm surprised you can't answer a question like that.

You were appointed minister some time ago. Can you tell us when you will be able to answer the few simple questions that we ask here at the committee? I imagine that you must have been prepared to answer the questions. These are questions that Canadians are asking us and that all of my colleagues are being asked by many Canadians, particularly with respect to access to rapid testing, PCR testing and border testing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Mr. Berthold, your time is up.

Minister, you may leave the meeting, but, if you wish, you may answer the question. This will be your last answer.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

All right.

Mr. Berthold, there are two things we are fortunate to have in this life. The first is to be surrounded by people who help us do our job. This is true for MPs and it is true for ministers. We are surrounded by exceptional and dedicated people. The second is that, because we are so well surrounded and so well supported, we can do a better job.

I expect you to get the most accurate answers possible. Sometimes senior officials, whose expertise and role it is to do so, are better able to answer you more quickly and accurately.

I think it is important for you to have access to the best information in the quickest and most efficient way.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Minister and Mr. Berthold.

This is the end of the extended time in which the minister is available.

Thank you very much for being so generous with your time, Minister Duclos, and for staying on for an extra 20 minutes after agreeing to 15.

Colleagues, I would ask that we suspend briefly for a health break while the minister disconnects.

Minister Duclos, I expect we'll be seeing lots of each other in our roles as health committee members and in yours as minister. We certainly appreciate your being here on short notice and your generosity with your time and, of course, your service.

Colleagues, we stand suspended for three minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

I call the meeting back to order.

Before we recommence, we started about 15 minutes late because of some technical difficulties. Do we have consensus among the witnesses and among the members of Parliament to go until 4:15? We require that in order to extend the time. If anybody has a big problem with that, please say so. If there are any witnesses who can't accommodate that, then just let us know.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

I don't see any objections, so we'll cut it off around 5:15.

We're continuing now with questions. The next member of Parliament up is Dr. Hanley, for the Liberals, for five minutes.

Dr. Hanley, you have the floor.