Evidence of meeting #11 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was commons.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
If each infected Canadian transmits COVID to less than one person, is it true that the epidemic in Canada will fade out, will die out, yes or no?
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
An epidemic wave will die out, but bear in mind that another epidemic wave could follow if those conditions aren't maintained.
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
I don't have that number in front of me but I can get it for you. They are continuing to accrue cases.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Could you table the number of cases Quebec added yesterday, please?
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
Yes, absolutely.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you for being so kind with my rapid questions.
Is asymptomatic spread of COVID-19 possible, yes or no?
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
Yes, it is possible. We do not know the degree to which it is driving the epidemic, but we do believe it to be possible. In addition to that, pre-symptomatic spread, through people who are infectious before they are aware that they are ill, is also a significant concern.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you, Dr. Raymond, as that was my next question.
From watching the press conference each day, I believe Canada has a series of regional epidemics. Which provinces are continuing to accrue cases? Could you simply name those provinces, please?
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
They are British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. We continue to see cases in a number of our larger provinces.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
I believe the current doubling rate was cited to me as five to eight days.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
Yes.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
What does that mean for infections or the number of cases in the next few weeks?
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
We anticipate that we will continue to see a considerable number of cases over the coming weeks.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
Unfortunately, it will similarly increase.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you for all the work you are doing.
What happens if we return too early to the way things were before COVID-19?
11:30 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
Frankly, I'm not sure there is a return to the way things were pre-COVID-19. Any return that we make to normal is going to be a new normal. If we rush that return, we risk a rebound and risk losing the gains we have made that all Canadians have sacrificed significantly for over the last number of weeks, and that would be tragic.
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Finally, what is the Public Health Agency of Canada's view on reconvening Parliament too early? Thank you for your work.
11:35 a.m.
Executive Medical Advisor, Vice-President’s Office, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada does not have a specific view on reconvening Parliament early, but as indicated, our advice to all Canadians is to stay the course, maintain physical distancing, continue to protect those who are more vulnerable, practise very good, robust public health measures and, if you must go to work, do so in the safest way possible.
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
