House of Commons Hansard #129 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was africa.

Topics

Malala YousafzaiOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

Does the right hon. Prime Minister have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?

Malala YousafzaiOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Malala YousafzaiOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Malala YousafzaiOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Malala YousafzaiOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

(Motion agreed to)

The House resumed consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:10 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

The hon. member for Winnipeg North has five more minutes of questions and comments.

The hon. member for Malpeque.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE

Mr. Speaker, the member for Winnipeg North went through the amendment to the motion, but I wonder if he might expand on that amendment and why it is so important that the motion before the House be amended in that way.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, I will reinforce what the amendment is because it is important to recognize what the Liberal Party is attempting to do. It is trying to get an understanding among all members of Parliament that there is a need for the standing committee to deal with the Ebola crisis on a biweekly basis, or twice a month. That is what the motion is seeking. We want the Minister of Health, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada to recognize that there is an obligation to go before a standing committee of the House. By doing that, they would be able to explain in detail what Canada is doing, not only on the home front but on the world stage.

We in the Liberal Party would ultimately argue that, in dealing with the Ebola virus, there is a strong leadership role that needs to be played by the Prime Minister and Canada. I will cite the amendment to the motion, which in essence says:

...“the relevant minister or ministers to appear twice monthly and the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada to appear monthly before the Standing Committee on Health”.

It is about strong national leadership to fight the Ebola virus and provide peace of mind and safety to all Canadians. The most important issue is that of transparency and education, and that is why Liberals want to do this.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have been listening with some interest to my friend's comments. One thing New Democrats have found frustrating to this point is that the reaction of the federal government to the Ebola crisis, while initially rather loud, was not forthcoming to Canadians about what was actually being done.

We have seen some recent actions by the Minister of Health, but one thing we know about epidemics like this is that public information is one of the most important things government can provide, reassurance to the public that the government is involved, is engaged on the issue, and is helping those who need help most, because as the government says about international terrorism, it may come here. With something like Ebola, the treatment has not been of the same veracity and strength.

I put this question for my friend. Why has the simple provision of vaccines and medicines taken so long? We have known about this outbreak for almost 60 days now. The world, particularly West Africa, has been calling on Canada to use its very ample resources to provide some benefit, security, not just in vaccinations but in equipment; and yet in the House today the government is seeking this procedure and that procedure and looking to cast blame rather than provide information.

I am wondering if my friend could comment on what he thinks the barrier has been for the Conservatives to actually move the medicines to the people who need it most and to provide some of the protective equipment that has been called for, over almost two months now.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:15 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, what we need to recognize is that this has actually been an issue since September of 2013. In fact, it was December 2013 when it became well known and understood to be a serious problem, and the virus has grown. The Canadian government did not really get engaged until April 2014. There is no doubt that we have been slow in trying to address this particular issue.

Having said that, the purpose of this particular motion that the Liberal Party has put forward today is to ensure that, twice a month, a standing committee will review exactly what Canada has done, what it is doing, and what it will do going forward. It is of critical importance that we recognize that Canada as a country has a leading role to play in the world in fighting the Ebola virus.

I have made reference to my home city of Winnipeg in terms of the lab and the vaccine that is being created because of the fine work by many brilliant minds here in Canada. We have a role to play.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Huron—Bruce.

I am pleased to address the House today on this critically important issue.

Canada is fortunate to be among the countries that remain free of Ebola. As a country, we have been at the forefront of the international response efforts in West Africa. There are overwhelming reasons to help the countries that are not as fortunate as our own. It is also very clear that by helping our Ebola-affected West African partners, the government is also further safeguarding the health and safety of Canadians.

As members know, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unprecedented in its scale, geographic reach and humanitarian impact, as well as social and economic impact which will be felt for a long time to come. The developing world is ill-equipped to manage a health emergency of this kind. The crisis is evolving in a context of chronic fragility in places of high poverty and after decades of conflict and civil strife.

While there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Canada, Canada must be prepared for a case to come here. Provincial and local health officials are the lead on any Ebola case in Canada, but the Public Health Agency of Canada continues to assist them to ensure that they remain prepared.

The increase in the number of cases continues to accelerate, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where weak health care systems are ineffective in controlling the spread of the virus and treating those who are infected. People are dying of Ebola, but they are also dying of other health problems, such as malaria because they do not have access to the basic services they need. It has become nearly impossible to keep up with the growing medical needs of populations that grow sicker by the day.

In addition to the health burden, the disease and efforts to contain it have disrupted trade and the rain-fed agricultural season, both primary livelihood sources in the region. The Ebola virus is reversing hard-won progress after difficult chapters in the history of some of the affected countries and keeping people from supporting themselves and their families.

According to the World Health Organization, as of October 17, there have been more than 9,211 cases of Ebola and more than 4,554 deaths from the disease reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

I would like to acknowledge the valiant work of West African countries, many of whose health care workers have tragically died as they worked to contain this outbreak. As of October 14, Ebola had affected 423 health care workers, killing 239 of them. The World Health Organization has warned that there could be 5,000 to 10,000 new Ebola cases per week by December of this year if the international community fails to act.

Right now, this outbreak has the world's attention and deservedly so. There are very sound reasons to treat this situation with great urgency and seriousness. However, if history has taught us anything, it is that few challenges cannot be overcome by the determination and resources of a united and committed global community. In the face of an unprecedented challenge, the world is capable of unprecedented action.

We know what needs to be done and the tools exist to do it. We are at a turning point where it is critical to respond to the rallying cry for help if we hope to contain this devastating disease and treat those who have been affected.

I have been very proud to see that Canada has been at the forefront of the international response to this outbreak. We have committed over $65 million to the United Nations and others to improve treatment and prevention, improve health capacity to save lives and support basics such as nutrition. We need to combat the disease as well as the fear and ignorance that surround it if we are to be successful.

On September 18, the United Nations Security Council declared the Ebola outbreak to be a threat to peace and security in West Africa. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged last month, this has become more than a health issue; it is now a social and economic one as well, with regional implications.

As a result, the UN announced the deployment of a new Ebola emergency health mission to bring together the full range of UN actors and expertise in order to support national efforts in affected countries. UNMEER is the first-ever UN emergency health mission set up in response to the unprecedented outbreak.

The United Nations and the World Health Organization have declared the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in West Africa both a public health emergency and a complex crisis requiring a range of measures. With our recent announcement, Canada is among the key donors to the Ebola crisis response. Canada recognized early the risks that this Ebola outbreak represents and has already made significant contributions in support of humanitarian and security interventions to help contain its spread.

Ours is a whole of government approach which includes contributions from our embassies in affected regions, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Transport Canada. Canada's funding will support the international efforts to stop the outbreak, treat patients, ensure essential services, preserve stability and prevent outbreaks in surrounding, but as of yet, unaffected countries.

Up to $18 million of this new funding will go to the WHO and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to strengthen the medical response in Ebola-affected countries as well as assisting non-affected neighbouring countries. They will also help prepare local health structures in how to deal with people who have contracted Ebola.

Up to $13.5 million will be contributed to the World Food Programme and the UN Ebola multi-partner trust fund to meet critical gaps in the response as well as the logistics and transportation needs of responders.

Finally, up to $20.5 million will go to the UN and World Food Programme to provide health education to communities and improve access to basic services including food and water. This will provide a foundation for greater local engagement on the dispelling of fears surrounding the disease as well as expanding prevention and community care services for Ebola patients.

We are providing on the ground laboratory diagnostic support in Sierra Leone through the deployment of scientists from the Public Health Agency of Canada and also supporting experts to be sent through the Red Cross and UN operations.

In addition, Canada donated up to 1,000 doses of experimental vaccine developed in labs in Canada to the WHO, so that they can be made available as an international resource. The vials represent two-thirds of the total vials of this experimental vaccine currently in the possession of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Canada will keep a small supply of the experimental vaccine to conduct research in clinical trials on safety and efficacy. We will also keep some vials in the unlikely event they are needed in Canada. These vials, offered for donation, are already on their way to the WHO in Geneva. The first shipment left yesterday.

The vaccine vials are being sent in three separate shipments as a precautionary measure due to the challenges in moving a vaccine that must be kept at a very low temperature, -80°C is my understanding, at all times and in the event that there is an accident during shipping.

The WHO has determined that there are some important safety and ethical considerations that it needs to resolve before the vaccine vials can be given to people. The global community, under the leadership of the WHO, is making progress addressing those issues. There are also logistical challenges.

Canada stands ready to support the WHO and we expect to see our donated experimental vaccine deployed as quickly, ethically and as safely as possible. Canada welcomes efforts to strengthen the co-ordination of efforts through the new UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response and we have called for an integrated plan that outlines the roles of all groups and countries involved.

Canada will continue to explore how we can further respond acting on the humanitarian assistance that is the clearest expression of our shared Canadian values. Canadians stand with the people of West Africa during these extraordinarily challenging times and with all those on the front line fighting the Ebola outbreak in this region.

In that context, Canada remains committed to working with our partners in the international community to help stop the outbreak, treat patients and meet humanitarian needs.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

NDP

Anne-Marie Day NDP Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Speaker, the NDP believes it is essential that Canadians are informed and that the information they receive is as accurate as possible.

This past Monday morning, I listened to a press conference held by Quebec's health minister, who was surrounded by a number of doctors and groups. They delivered very precise and very detailed information about how they would proceed if ever there were cases of Ebola detected here in Canada, and in Quebec in particular, since the Quebec health department was holding the press conference.

Canadians should be able to fully trust that the government and the Public Health Agency of Canada will keep them safe.

Can the member tell us what the government has done to inform Canadians?

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would agree with the hon. member that Canadians do need to be kept informed. Certainly, we are doing so in many ways. Not only this House, but this government, in particular, the Public Health Agency has provided a series of infection control guidelines including Ebola-specific guidance.

However, as far as the measures that the Canadian government has taken, those are absolutely available online as public information because Canadians want to know that Canada has committed over $65 million in support of humanitarian effort as well as security interventions related to the spread of the virus.

They want to know that we have provided two mobile lab units in Sierra Leone and scientific expertise on the ground in West African countries that are most affected. They want to know about the personal protective equipment that we sent.

The Government of Canada is doing everything it can to let Canadians know that Canada is at the forefront of helping in this terrible crisis.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

Ted Hsu Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on something the Prime Minister said during question period. It sounded like there was some uncertainty as to whether the government would be voting in favour or against the motion today.

Since some time has passed, I wonder if the member knows whether she will be voting for or against the motion.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I did note, with interest, his question in question period today about medical personnel. I certainly think the motion on the table has merit, but he will have to wait until the vote occurs to see how I am going to vote.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Joe Daniel Conservative Don Valley East, ON

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for such a succinct report on what we, as Canadians, are doing for Ebola, to control it, et cetera. Having visited my own local hospital, the North York General Hospital has set up laboratories that are available and are ready to take care of any Ebola issues, and units for isolating people if anything else like that happens.

How prepared does she think we are in Canada, particularly in the larger centres, to actually deal with the issue of Ebola entering our country?

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure the member for Don Valley East that, indeed, Canada is well-prepared and is continuing to be vigilant in the face of this very serious problem. We are improving our systems and our level of preparedness every day.

Canadian hospitals have strong systems and checks in place, control systems designed to control the spread of the infection, to protect health care workers and to provide the best possible care.

We have had, in the past, experience with SARS and H1N1, which has increased our level of preparation for these types of emergencies. The Public Health Agency of Canada has provided a series of guidelines which will be followed, as well, in the case of an outbreak or any kind of case in Canada.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House today and discuss this motion. Just to review it, the motion is:

That the House recognize the devastation that Ebola is wreaking in Western Africa and the serious threat to public health that the virus could pose to Canada; and call on the Minister of Health, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, and the Minister of Public Safety to appear before the Standing Committee on Health twice monthly to report on Canada’s efforts at home and abroad to ensure that the outbreak does not pose a threat to the health and safety of Canadians.

That is the motion we are looking at. The attempt from the Liberal Party here is to have these people come to the health committee, of which I am a member, and report back to the committee twice a month until, I guess, further notice. There is no start time and there is no end time. There is nothing in the motion that mentions that the minister of development, who could also be a liaison, should appear.

I really disagree basically with the entire portion of the motion. The reason I say this is that the Health Canada website lists everything that it is doing. It is right there in real time. The minister and the Chief Public Health Officer have held press conferences. They have put out press releases. It is in the news every evening, so the information is out there and it is getting to Canadians. All of the provinces are working together. They are working with the minister and with the local public health units.

In Ontario, the Liberal government and the Liberal minister, Dr. Eric Hoskins, actually complimented the minister on television a few days ago. They pointed out what a great working relationship they have on this issue and how provinces, ministers, public servants, health officials, and everybody involved are working to make sure that Ebola does not come to Canada but, most importantly, that if it does, they have the ability to recognize it, detect it, treat it, and make sure that the health care officials who are providing front-line care are protected when doing their job.

It is an important comment when we hear someone from a different party from ours complimenting, rising above partisanship, and stating the facts on what is taking place.

That is what I feel. I feel as well that a lot of this is about recognizing the roles of the federal government, the provinces, the local health units, and the local hospitals. All these areas are doing their jobs and are working collaboratively. Just the other day, the federal response team was in Nova Scotia doing a trial run. That is a further example of how each level of government and each agency is working to make sure it is done correctly.

We have been doing what has been asked of us by the WHO. We have delivered, both in dollars and in the personal protective equipment that we have sent over. We have been there. Obviously, we want to work with the WHO to make sure that we are addressing the issues in Africa and that we are trying to contain the issues there so that they do not spread to Canada. Travel advisories have obviously been set up. With other air traffic coming into Canada, direct flights are not available in many cases.

These are important facts to show what we have done, but let us get back to the point about the actual process that the Liberal Party brought forward on this motion.

To my mind, the committee is maybe not the best avenue for this work to be done. I will point out why. It is because of the way the committees are set up in the Standing Orders. Basically the minister, the Chief Public Health Officer, and the Minister of Public Safety would be there, and they would each have 10 or 15 minutes to present their information.

All that information is already in the public domain. It is available. The Liberal Party would have seven minutes to ask questions.

Canadians are being informed. That is the point: Canadians are being informed. Anything that would be presented in committee is already in the public domain.

If members of Parliament, specifically the Liberal members, need information or want information, the minister literally sits right across from them. If they had a question, they could come over and ask it during question period. They know all the minister's staff, and they could contact the staff. The information is flowing. There is not a problem with information. All the information is in the public domain.

The other important thing is that we are not resting on our laurels. We are working, as I said, with the World Health Organization, but we are also monitoring, very closely, what is taking place in Texas. We are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make sure that if there are any areas for improvement, we are taking those actions.

It is important to recognize that there can always be improvement. We can always do better. We can always find ways to make those important front-line health care officials as safe as possible, because we do know how this disease is transmitted.

One thing I wanted to talk about here with prepared notes was one of the institutes, the Institute of Infection and Immunity, or III, which supports research and helps build research capacity in the areas of infectious disease and the body's immune system.

In addition to supporting research, III plays an important role on infectious disease issues in Canada, including helping to coordinate Canada's rapid research response to infectious disease outbreaks, especially those caused by new and emerging pathogens.

To respond to these emerging threats, CIHR III has led the effort to strengthen Canada's vaccine research landscape through strategic investments, leadership, and partnership activities. For example, starting in 2006, CIHR III led the development of the pandemic preparedness strategic response initiative, and our government made an investment of $21.5 million.

A lot of these investments were made some time ago so that we would be prepared as a country to protect our citizens from these outbreaks.

Tremendous leadership in developing this initiative was shown by forming linkages and building partnerships with provincial, federal, and international stakeholders. As I mentioned earlier in my comments, these partnerships increased the total amount of funds available for research from $21.5 million to $43.3 million. This investment allowed CIHR to support more than 92 projects involving 345 researchers across the country.

The projects supported through this initiative produced a variety of research and commercialization outcomes. For example, over a third of the projects researching vaccines and immunization produced results that could lead to a new drug or vaccine.

There is no doubt about it: we have done a great job in working with our partners, both abroad and locally. All should be commended on this point.

I do have an amendment to the motion.

I move, seconded by the member for Yukon, that the motion be amended by replacing the words “the relevant minister and ministers to appear twice monthly” with “the Minister of Health” and replacing the word “monthly” with “as soon as possible”.

I will now take questions.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

In order for an amendment to an opposition day motion to be put forward, the mover must have the approval of the mover of the original motion. I see that the hon. member for Vancouver Centre is here. Does she give consent for the amendment?

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

No, Mr. Speaker.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

In that case, question and comments. The hon. member for Winnipeg North.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, the presentation the member has made in regard to the motion is interesting. I think it is a genuine attempt to try to recognize that the government does have a responsibility, and all indications, at least in some of the discussions I have had with some of his colleagues, are that they are at the very least open to the amended motion as it is currently being debated.

My question to the member is this: does he not recognize that there is a totally different atmosphere in a standing committee, which meets for two hours and offers an opportunity to create a lot more dialogue than there would be during question period or something of that nature? Does he recognize that Canadians would benefit by having different ministers deal with this very important issue in a committee setting?

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question, but I will go back to the point I made.

If members opposite want any information that they somehow cannot get hold of, the minister sits right in front of them. They could go over at any time and ask. If they still felt that they needed more time, they could arrange for a meeting with her in her office, or with her staff or the parliamentary secretary. If they had questions about any information, they could do that.

My point was that if members opposite have questions, they would have seven minutes in a committee meeting. I have witnessed the questions in committees for years, and usually they have a six-minute, 59-second question and one second for an answer. I am trying to say that if they want to have a meeting, why not just arrange to meet with the minister or meet with her staff? They are always willing and available to have a meeting. It is a far better use of everybody's time, and opposition members would have the ability to ask more questions. I think it is a great thing.

Opposition Motion—EbolaBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, obviously the NDP believes that the Canadian public needs to be well informed when it comes to situations such as a health crisis. People want to know that they and their families are protected by the government. They need to have faith that the government and public health agencies are ensuring their safety and security in these situations.

I want to ask a question specifically about the vaccine.

The government was slow to get the vaccine to trials. With respect, the member opposite has said that we can ask a question of the minister, but the Leader of the Opposition has been asking this question and we have not been able to get the answer.

The government sold the rights to a made-in-Canada vaccine for Ebola for only $200,000. The Americans were able to get their vaccine to trials one month before Canada did, and the minister has done nothing to expedite the trials.

My question is this: what steps did the government take to get the vaccine to trials before September, and why did it fail to intervene and ensure that this vaccine was available?