Procedure and House Affairs Committee on April 23rd, 2020

[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?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

An epidemic wave will die out, but bear in mind that another epidemic wave could follow if those conditions aren't maintained.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

In Canada are we at less than one yet?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

No.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

How many cases did Ontario add yesterday?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

I don't have that number in front of me but I can get it for you. They are continuing to accrue cases.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Could you table the number of cases Quebec added yesterday, please?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

Yes, absolutely.

[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?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

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.

[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?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

They are British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. We continue to see cases in a number of our larger provinces.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

What is the doubling rate right now in Canada?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

I believe the current doubling rate was cited to me as five to eight days.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

So every five to eight days the cases will double?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

Yes.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

What does that mean for infections or the number of cases in the next few weeks?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

We anticipate that we will continue to see a considerable number of cases over the coming weeks.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

What will that mean for the number of deaths?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

Unfortunately, it will similarly increase.

[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?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

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.

[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.

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you, Dr. Raymond.

We'll go next to Mademoiselle Normandin.