Debates of Nov. 26th, 2020

Health—Main Estimates, 2020-21

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

Madam Chair, every step of the way, we have been there for provinces and territories, including in procuring PPE, testing capacity, data capacity, contact—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, who will have the responsibility for vaccinating first nations and indigenous persons in Canada? The federal government, provincial governments or another level of government?

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

Madam Chair, there are certain populations the federal government is responsible for, including indigenous peoples on reserves and other federal populations.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, what structure has been put in place to bring first nations to the table on delivering a COVID-19 vaccine?

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

Madam Chair, we are working with indigenous leaders, with provinces and territories to make sure that we have a robust plan that—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, will the provinces or the federal government have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine?

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

Madam Chair, we are procuring the vaccines as we speak.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, there were some challenges with the procurement of PPE, in that supplies were being stolen off of tarmacs and planes were coming back to Canada empty. Has the minister worked with the department of defence on securing vaccines for transport to Canada?

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

Madam Chair, in fact, vaccine deployment and procurement is a whole-of-government approach, and the Canadian Armed Forces are at the planning table.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, on what date were procurement contracts issued for freezers for the Pfizer vaccine?

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

Madam Chair, the Government of Canada is procuring the necessary equipment, including freezers, needles, swabs and—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, is a certain number of freezers required before Pfizer will ship us any doses of the vaccine?

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

Madam Chair, each vaccine has different requirements, and we are working through each of those requirements carefully to ensure we have everything in place to successfully deploy a vaccine to Canadians—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, I am just assuming that Pfizer would want to have freezers in place before it shipped the vaccine to us. Is that part of the contract, a certain number of freezers?

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

Madam Chair, we are working very closely with Pfizer to meet all of the requirements to receive the vaccines. I am very confident in the plan, and Canadians can be confident in the plan too.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, I would have more confidence if the minister could tell us when the freezers will be in place in their entirety.

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

Madam Chair, not only are we working with the manufacturer, but we are working with the provinces and territories to make sure we understand their deployment plan—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, does the minister have any plans to remove Health Canada review user fees for the review of at-home rapid tests?

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

Madam Chair, we have not approved at-home rapid tests as yet. No company has applied to Canada. However, we will be expeditiously reviewing any applicants.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, could the minister tell us why no company has applied to Canada to produce or sell at-home rapid tests for COVID in Canada?