Debates of Nov. 26th, 2020

Health—Main Estimates, 2020-21

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, the member understands that the use of rapid tests is obviously an asset to jurisdictions but it does require careful guidance and utilization to make sure that the tests are used in a way that can actually add to the benefit of containing COVID-19. That is why not only have we been procuring rapid tests and rapidly, no pun intended, deploying them across the country to provinces and territories, but we also worked with provinces and territories to release, through the special advisory committee, updated screening and testing guidance so that we could actually understand how best to use which test for which purpose and in which setting. Again, all with the effort to contain COVID-19.

On the distribution side, we have distributed over 4.6 million rapid tests to provinces and territories to date. In Ontario it is over two million. In Quebec it is over 1.2 million, and in B.C. it is 354,000. Some provinces and territories are using these in novel ways. For example, I understand in Nova Scotia they have been deployed for use in bars and restaurants in certain pilot project settings, to understand the transmission in those settings. Other provinces are beginning to deploy them in long-term care facilities where there is a need for very quick turnaround and understanding for people who are symptomatic of whether or not they are COVID-positive, but some provinces and territories have not deployed their tests yet. We are working with—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Madam Chair, I know once we get started, there are so many details.

There is one last question though that we needed time to get in. Many jurisdictions are experiencing outbreaks. They have been unable to keep up with contact tracing for people who have tested positive. Given that there is at least some asymptomatic transmission contact tracing, it is important to identify those who may be infected so that they can seek testing and help break the chain of transmission.

The Government of Canada announced surge capacity for contact tracing. Could the minister with the time available provide an overview of the support and the nature of the support provided to date?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, we have provided provinces and territories with additional contact tracing support. We can do over 20,000 calls a day and we are providing support to Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, making some 1,400 to 1,600 calls per day for these provinces—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

There is no more time left. I am sorry.

The hon. member for Foothills.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Madam Chair, has the minister directed her department to find out how many rapid tests would be needed to test every traveller coming into Canada at airports and border crossings?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Chair, as I mentioned to the previous member who was speaking, we are so enthusiastic about the border pilot project that is happening with Alberta. There are two others happening on both the east and west coasts. That research is going to give us a very good idea of how to use testing in—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Foothills.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Madam Chair, the Province of Alberta asked for forgiveness not permission, was frustrated and went out on its own.

Do you know how many rapid tests would be needed to test every traveller coming into Canada by the border crossing and at the airports?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I would remind the member that he is to address his questions through the Chair.

The hon. minister.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, well, it is quite clear that Alberta went on its own in some regards but not in regards to testing at the border. In fact, that is a joint research project with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. It is designed to understand better the mix of quarantine measures along with rapid testing to alleviate the burden of quarantine for people who are travelling—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Foothills.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Madam Chair, has the minister directed any of her staff or her department to come up with a plan for rapid testing or at-home testing that would reduce or eliminate the 14-day quarantine?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, that is entirely the nature of this research project, as I mentioned, with Alberta. There are two others. There is one happening on the east coast with McMaster and another happening out of the Vancouver airport. These research studies will—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Foothills.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Madam Chair, can the minister tell us when that pilot project will be concluded and when those tests will be available to reduce or eliminate the 14-day quarantine in Canada?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, the research study is 26 weeks in length, and the tests are available and being utilized in the pilot study.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Madam Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex.

Earlier at the health committee, Dr. Tam said that the COVID Alert app is ineffective because of a lack of testing and delays in results. Does the minister agree with Dr. Tam's assessment of the COVID Alert app?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, the faster people can get their results input into the COVID Alert app, the faster people who have been close contacts can be notified of their contact with that positive case. As the member opposite notes, we have supported the provinces and territories to increase—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Foothills.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Madam Chair, the Liberal government spent $10 million on promoting the COVID Alert app and about 5% of Ontarians who tested positive actually used the COVID app to report their infections.

Does the minister agree with Dr. Tam's assessment that the COVID app is ineffective?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, we certainly hope the provinces and territories utilize their full capacity to test and are utilizing their capacity to increase the turnaround time so people can have access to their results sooner. That certainly will help with the Covid Alert app. What will also help is for all jurisdictions, including Alberta, to sign on to utilize—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Foothills.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Madam Chair, earlier this evening the minister said several times that they have provided 4.6 million rapid tests to the provinces. Does the minister think in a population of 35 million Canadians, where rapid tests are needed multiple times, that 4.6 million rapid tests distributed by the federal government to the provinces is sufficient?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, at this point in time I guess they are since they are not being utilized by the provinces and territories, including Alberta, but certainly more are shipped every week and we will have more to supply every single week to the provinces and territories as they require them.