Health Committee on Feb. 5th, 2026

[Nancy Hamzawi]

We’re now able to produce our own vaccine. With the capabilities of Quebec and Ontario, we’re already able to produce mRNA vaccines here in Canada.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

What did you do differently between 2020 and 2026 that you’re now able to produce a vaccine to respond to another pandemic?

[Nancy Hamzawi]

In terms of what’s been done over the past six years, there has been the

biomanufacturing and life sciences strategy.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

What is it, in French?

I can’t hear the interpretation, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Let us find out what the problem is.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

It’s just that if the witness uses a word—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I will suspend, so the time left is going to be your time left.

Are we ready to go? Okay, let's see if it works. Begin again.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

How much time do I have left on your official timer?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You have 59 seconds.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Thank you very much.

What investments were provided in the last budget to improve the supply chain for vaccine production?

[Nancy Hamzawi]

I don’t have the exact figures for budget 2025, but it includes very significant investments in the field of research that concern our colleagues from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Maybe my colleague Dr. Hébert could tell you about it.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

That’s fine, you can respond to me in writing. It’s still important to know.

[Nancy Hamzawi]

Okay. There’s also funding for clinical trials.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

I’ll now address Ms. Crowcroft.

Since the pandemic, we know that public health relies on the speed of incident reporting and on the trust between researchers and institutions. I want to talk to you about Bill C‑15.

If the perception of severe penalties makes an institution hesitant to quickly report an incident, do you acknowledge that this regime that’s to be implemented undermines the public health it claims to protect?

[Natasha Crowcroft, Acting Chief Public Health Officer, Public Health Agency of Canada]

I apologize. That was a bit quick for me in French. I'm sorry.

Can I have it again in English, with the interpretation?

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Madam Chair, it would be important to tell the witnesses that what the committee members have to say in French is important.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I don't know that anyone is questioning that. Is somebody questioning that?

[Natasha Crowcroft]

I completely agree, but you were speaking too fast for me. I’m sorry.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Madam Chair, now I have to suffer because the witness didn't have her earpiece in and did not understand my question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We've given you your time back, sir.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

[Inaudible—Editor] take it away from you.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

How much time do I have left?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

The clerk is checking it.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

I have 30 minutes? Okay.