Evidence of meeting #29 for Health in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was infoway.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
It was earlier this year that we officially received the termination notification for the program.
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
On what date did you receive an informal notification, or a suggestion, that it would be terminated?
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
A suggestion for this was when the process was launched, in terms of scanning the market for a replacement operator. That was in May 2024, when the official RFEOI process was launched by Canada Health Infoway.
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
You spoke to us about the 85% of the IP that Telus brought into the arrangement and the new 15%. Did Telus design the new 15% that now rests with Canada Health Infoway?
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
We were a service provider. Everything that was done with regard to the 15% was dictated by specific requirements and requests made by Canada Health Infoway.
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
It was dictated by Canada Health Infoway, but you ended up designing it.
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
We delivered it. The design, and everything related to this, was done to the exacting standards and specifications that were provided to us by Canada—
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
You designed it. I'm not seeing the distinction here. Did you design it and then deliver it, or did you deliver it but not design it?
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
We delivered it based on the design and specifications that were provided by Canada Health Infoway.
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
I see. Thank you.
Of the $100 million that Telus received from Canada Health Infoway, how much became profit?
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
Those are details that would be disclosed if the request for information should go through.
Conservative
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
We participate in all official channels as it relates to engaging with the federal government on many different aspects—
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
I'll take that as a yes.
Over the last 10 years, has Telus lobbied the federal government regarding the issue of prescription platforms?
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
This was not our mandate, as was previously noted. The program operator was not Telus Health. We provided the technology and the services, and the backbone required for this—
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
It is a simple question. Over the last 10 years, has Telus lobbied the federal government regarding prescription platforms? Answer yes or no.
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
We were under contract with Canada Health Infoway. We were very respectful of the engagement—
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
That's a different question. I know you're under contract. Can you please answer the question?
Was Telus lobbying the federal government regarding prescription platforms?
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
That's all I can say about it.
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
Chair, could the committee please direct the witness to answer this question?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I can only direct the witness to answer the question, under current laws, with regard to privacy and industry regulations. You've asked him the question. He will have to explain why he doesn't answer it, with regard to privacy laws and IP laws. Use of IP is personal. I have no idea what we can do. We cannot force him to answer a question if it goes against those laws.
Is answering the question going to violate legislation, Mr. Batchvarov?
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
My perspective on this is that we were under agreement with the federal government to deliver a service. The service was actively being deployed, and we were actively developing the service. I don't understand why we would need to lobby on having e-prescribing platforms be part of the deliverable of the service at the same time.
I'm not sure I understand the question, to be honest.
We were under contract. We were delivering an e-prescribing service that was working. It had scale. It was national and secure, and it had millions of transactions. Canadians—
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
Excuse me.
Lobbyists register. There is an actual lobbying register. They come and lobby politicians. This is a matter of public record. I'm asking if Telus was engaged in that activity.
Vice-President, Provider Solutions, Telus Health
Broadly speaking, yes, but for what purpose...?
Conservative
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
Thank you. I don't know why that was so difficult.
You said Telus received $90 million from Canada Health Infoway. Were any other monies received from any other sources, in addition to that $90 million, over the period of time you were looking after this program?