National Defence committee  Yes. In fact, there's a difference. Here, we deployed employees, not necessarily volunteers. I could give you the final amount. Our goal wasn't to recruit people to stay permanently in the health care system. So there was a difference between our goal and that of the Quebec government.

National Defence committee  —in the emergency phase. So it has nothing to do with the permanent health care system.

National Defence committee  It was general training to show how to help in a situation. In other words, the training covered general work and all instructions regarding protection, wearing PPE, and so forth.

National Defence committee  Thank you.

National Defence committee  I think it went very well. First of all, I want to thank the Canadian Armed Forces. They really collaborated in terms of transferring all of the information. What was critical as well, and I think the most important to highlight, is that we worked very closely with the health and social services ministry of the Quebec government, because at the end of the day they're working with the institutions, knowing which ones needed our help.

National Defence committee  Again, this is supporting the Quebec government. I think we've extended our presence until March in these institutions or others, wherever there may be an overlap or a challenge. As I said, we are growing the support in Ontario and in Manitoba. In Manitoba we're in five long-term care institutions.

National Defence committee  Is your question about the Canadian forces or the Red Cross? Are you asking if we'll be overwhelmed by the current situation?

National Defence committee  It depends on where. First of all, several things have been done in Quebec. I'd like to highlight the great collaboration with the Quebec ministry of health and services and the CIUSSSs. In Quebec, we deployed personnel to replace military personnel in long-term care facilities, but we also helped train more than 7,000 employees of the ministry of health and social services.

National Defence committee  At the moment, we can't dissociate climate issues from food crises and conflicts. In the current context, they are interrelated. For the Red Cross, the UN World Food Programme is crucial. Strengthening the local capacity of organizations and the Red Cross on the ground and a better global response are essential to address these major and growing problems.

National Defence committee  In the response to long-term care, with appropriate resources, we replaced the CAF operations. In Canada, we need to look at an increase of our standing capacity to surge up in these situations. To answer your question, absolutely, the Red Cross can play a more important role. We've been growing this capacity, because of the natural disasters we've been facing, and now the pandemic has added another layer.

National Defence committee  I think we have had a very strong relationship with DND through time, every time there's something very important. Really, the main thing is looking at where we bring assets and where they bring assets. Again, I think it's been highlighted that the logistical capacity to lift, in terms of the armed forces, is the main thing.

National Defence committee  Could you please repeat the question?

National Defence committee  Madam Chair, I'll make the opening presentation. Thank you, because it's a great pleasure for me to address the committee this morning. It is my pleasure to speak to you today on behalf of the more than 5,000 Canadian Red Cross personnel, including 2,000 volunteers, who have and continue to work tirelessly to support the Red Cross's COVID-19 response across the country.

Foreign Affairs committee  Is this for the Red Cross?

Foreign Affairs committee  I won't be able to provide a short answer. It's important to recognize that epidemics and pandemics are part of a cycle. There was Ebola, cholera and so on. It's not just about responding to that specific crisis. It's about rethinking how systems are structured to deliver responses in the future.