Debates of Nov. 26th, 2020

Health—Main Estimates, 2020-21

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

Madam Chair, at-home testing is a rather novel technology at this point in the pandemic. We certainly have worked with manufacturers to encourage them to apply, and we will continue to do that.

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

Madam Chair, why can an American buy an at-home test for COVID in the U.S., but Canadians cannot here?

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

Madam Chair, the member is incorrect. In fact, those at-home tests are available by prescription only in the U.S. However, we are in conversation with the—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

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

Madam Chair, when will Canadians be able to buy at-home rapid tests?

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

Madam Chair, as soon as they are approved by Health Canada.

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

Madam Chair, when will that be?

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

Madam Chair, as soon as we have an applicant that is proven safe and accurate for use.

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

Madam Chair, why do we not have an applicant yet?

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

Madam Chair, I cannot answer that question. I certainly know that Health Canada has worked with manufacturers. The manufacturer in question that the member mentioned earlier—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

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

Madam Chair, has the minister taken any meetings with any manufacturers of at-home rapid tests?

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

Madam Chair, manufacturers of at-home rapid tests have not approached me for meetings to my knowledge, but certainly, I would be willing to speak with any company—

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

Madam Chair, has the minister proactively reached out to meet with any manufacturers of at-home rapid tests for COVID?

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

Madam Chair, I have actively engaged with a variety of manufacturers on different equipment across the country and across the world. I will continue—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

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

Madam Chair, has the minister proactively reached out to any manufacturers of at-home rapid tests to encourage them to apply, or to ask what the barriers are to having them enter into our approval process?

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

Madam Chair, I work very closely with the Minister of Procurement to make sure that we are actively pursuing new technology that could be beneficial to Canadians, and I will continue that hard work.

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

Madam Chair, I just asked, because the minister has said many times over the last few months that we do not have access to these types of tests because nobody has applied, but she must understand that Canada is a small market with an onerous regulatory process. What measures is she thinking about putting in place to incent people to apply to our review process for at-home rapid tests for COVID?

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

Madam Chair, in fact, Canada's regulatory process is admired by the rest of the world. In fact, we work very closely with other regulators, the EU, the FDA and Switzerland, and Canada is a world leader in health product regulation.

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

Madam Chair, how many times has the minister been briefed on the status of the renovations and constructions at the Montreal NRC facility that is slated to produce COVID vaccines?

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

Madam Chair, I stay extremely focused on ensuring that I can deliver the equipment, the supports and the services for Canadians through the provinces and territories and directly to municipalities. That is—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

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

Madam Chair, my understanding is that, at some point in time over the summer, it became clear that there was a problem with the Montreal NRC facility. There was only one room that could work and there needed to be something else done, but there was a long period of time before anything happened.

Who took their eyes off the ball?

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

Madam Chair, I can tell members that my eyes have been on the ball of delivering for Canadians since the pandemic began. I will continue to have my eyes on the ball, because Canadians are expecting us to work—