Health committee  The information continues to evolve. We always have studies to examine or understand and other experts to consult. The information is constantly changing. I would say that the government's decision is in line with the data we examine and the direction in which the pandemic is headed right now.

Health committee  As I said, the data changes constantly. There are always studies in progress. It is a very dynamic field. On an ongoing basis, we analyze studies, consult experts, and gather advice. The government definitely needs time to assess the information provided to it.

Health committee  We are of course studying the new variants very carefully. We have implemented border measures in part because of that. I will let Dr. Poliquin speak about the new variants.

Health committee  Mr. Chair, I'll redirect that question to Mr. Bent.

Health committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. As I said a few moments ago, the data and studies were carefully examined. We are also in contact with scientists all over the world and experts in Canada. We work very closely with our provincial and territorial counterparts, indigenous peoples and other partners to ascertain where the situation stands.

Health committee  The Minister of Health, Minister Duclos, did indicate last week that the primary series is going to need to include three doses, but we do know, from the vaccine science, that vaccines continue to be very effective, particularly against fighting the severity of the virus. There is also some protection offered in terms of transmission, but we do know that, unlike delta, it does wane over time.

Health committee  There isn't one specific metric. We were really looking at a number of factors. For example, when I looked at the situation when the vaccine mandates were first put in place, there was strong scientific evidence, at the time, that the vaccines were preventing infection. They were working against transmission, against delta and alpha, and protecting against serious illness.

Health committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you for inviting the Public Health Agency of Canada back to provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in Canada. We continue to monitor COVID-19 epidemiological indicators, so that we can quickly detect, understand and communicate any emerging issues of concern.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, certainly. Thank you, Minister. Mr. Chairman, we provide some report summaries that we share with the provinces and territories to help inform their decision-making and their situational awareness with respect to public health and population mobility. In addition, as the minister already mentioned, we prepare summaries of reports that we publish on COVIDTrends.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you very much, Minister. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. I'm happy to speak to the measures that were taken to respect the privacy of Canadians, which was utmost in our minds as we embarked on using mobility data, as the minister said, at the beginning of the pandemic, because of and in response to the pandemic.