Procedure and House Affairs Committee on May 7th, 2020

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Yes. Where it goes, I guess, is to be determined. I just think it's important and relevant information that was given by those three witnesses, and I think it has to be inserted.

If it goes into section A.iii., at least it's an acknowledgement that what we've been doing up to this point has been following the guidelines, based on the testimony. If you think it should go in section A.iii., then I would agree with that. I just think it's important that this information be put in.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Point taken, Mr. Brassard.

Is everyone okay with inserting it into section A.iii? In section A.iii., we go into all the different measures that have been taken.

In terms of the language, do you want a quote from Mr. Robert of what he stated?

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

I think we can leave it to Andre to come up with something. The principle of what I'm looking for is that three witnesses acknowledged that the measures in the smaller in-person sittings of Parliament have been to the public health standards and guidelines that have been set out. At least, that was their observation when I asked that very pointed question to all three of them.

Andre? Okay.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you, Mr. Brassard.

Andre, would you agree that it fits better in section A.iii.?

[Andre Barnes]

It's wherever the committee would like the information to go. I've got the idea and I've got the language.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Okay.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Madam Chair, I have a comment as well.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Yes, Mr. Turnbull.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

In the first paragraph of this section, lines 21 and 22 in my version on page 3, I find the wording of the sentence a bit awkward toward the end.

The sentence reads, “Further, the virus has a long incubation period of one to 14 days, during which mild to asymptomatic transmission can occur.” I'm not sure what mild “transmission” is, but it doesn't seem to be accurate. I think Dr. Duncan might have a better suggestion.

I think it's asymptomatic, presymptomatic and maybe even post-symptomatic transmission, according to the evidence. I've been keeping up with this as best as possible, but the evidence is showing that. That is in fact what I remember Ms. Raymond saying.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

That's under section A.ii., Mr. Turnbull?

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Yes. It's in section A.ii., “Challenges posed by COVID-19 to in-person parliamentary sittings”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

I'm sorry. I don't have a printout of the line, so it's hard for me to simultaneously view it on my screen.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

No problem. It's in the first paragraph of that section.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

It reads, “Further, the virus has a long incubation period of one to 14 days, during which mild to asymptomatic transmission can occur.”

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Yes. It's not accurate to say mild “transmission”. I think mild “symptoms” is what was meant.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

People who may exhibit mild or no symptoms; I guess that's what....

You're absolutely correct that it just needs to be reworded. I think we all know the intent of what this tried to state.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

My preference, Madam Chair, would be that it say “pre”, “post” and “asymptomatic”. I think asymptomatic transmission includes pre and post. Before the symptoms arise, and even after you've exhibited the symptoms, you can still transmit, right?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Yes, so you want to say that there's an incubation period of one to 14 days in which somebody with mild symptoms or somebody who's asymptomatic can transmit the virus, but also that after having the virus, they can also transmit it? Is that what you're trying to also say? We're going to have to dig out the evidence of what was stated in order to include that part, I think.

Andre, do you want to make a comment on that?

[Andre Barnes]

I think I have the gist of what Mr. Turnbull is looking for, and I certainly have his language captured as well.

I'll look into it, and if anyone has language they can think of before the end of the meeting.... I have enough to go on, I think.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Thank you so much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thanks, Ryan.

Okay, so it looks like everyone is good for.... We've spent a lot of time on section A.ii. I think we were on section A.iii, though. We're going backward a little.

We were on section 3, the health and safety workplace protocols put in place at the House of Commons in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In that section I think we're going to include Mr. Brassard's comments as well.

Is everyone okay with that section, section 3?

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

I have a couple of quick comments on that.

I'm just wondering about two parts that I think are important, which are other the measures that were done. Add that on to that list just to make sure that, as the situation evolves.... I know the chairs have been removed from the opposition lobbies, and that naturally helps physical and social distancing, so I think it would be good to acknowledge that.

I was there yesterday so I was able to see this first-hand, but there are open doors so we wouldn't be touching door handles all the time. One thing I thought worked really well was the one way in and another way out for the crossing part. Just point out those items for Andre. Then just specifically show how it's continuing, how everybody is coming up with these ideas of ways to do it.

The other quick comment could be that House administration is looking at further ways of protecting our interpreters in the booth. That's one aspect that's still outstanding for them, but I think it'll be important to address that it's in progress to make sure we're acknowledging the struggles they have and how we can help them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you, Mr. Duncan. Those are excellent points, and the analyst has noted all of those. You're absolutely right; we should put in all the measures we are taking so people reading our report in the public or private sector can get ideas from the things we are doing at the House of Commons. Thanks for pointing that out.

We are moving on now to section B.i.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Ms. Normandin had her hand up.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Please go ahead.