Question Period Notes
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Far too many Canadians are still struggling to secure timely access to family health service, whether from a doctor, nurse, or team of providers. This issue disproportionality impacts those living in rural communities.
Recently, media reports and experts have been framing the lack of timely access to family health services as a crisis, with repercussions for the broader health care system.
• On March 25, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was notified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) in dairy cattle in Kansas and Texas.
• On April 1st, 2024, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed that an individual in Texas tested positive for HPAI A(H5N1) and had exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1). This likely represents the first mammal-to-human transmission.
• On May 22, 2024, the CDC confirmed a second human case associated with the current outbreak in a Michigan farmworker who had regular exposure to dairy cattle infected with HPAI A(H5N1).
• CFIA has not detected HPAI A(H5N1) in cattle or other livestock in Canada, and there have been no human cases in Canada associated with the current global HPAI A(H5N1) outbreak.
• Based on current scientific evidence, PHAC’s updated risk assessment states that the risk of avian influenza infection to the general public continues to be very low.
• Canada’s health workforce continues to face challenging workplace conditions. High patient workloads, lack of resources, mandatory overtime and fear for personal safety have led to high levels of burnout, absences, and turnover.
• Concerns have been raised regarding security at the National Microbiology Lab (NML) in Winnipeg following the tabling of documents related to the investigation of activities on February 28, 2024 and employment termination of two NML scientists.
• The availability of surgical abortion varies both between provinces and territories and nationally. Health Canada is aware of coverage issues resulting in patient charges for surgical abortion services in a limited number of private clinics in Ontario (5). The one private clinic that had been charging patients in New Brunswick closed in February 2024. These patient charges are considered user charges under the Canada Health Act.
• Through an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) are developing a new WHO instrument (i.e., a convention, treaty, accord, agreement or other international instrument) on pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
• Following the authorization of the Zonnic nicotine pouches, there have been serious concerns raised around the availability, use and advertising of the product.
• The Department received correspondence from several health organizations, Canadian Chief Medical Officers of Health, and citizens requesting to take immediate actions to mitigate youth access and appeal.
• This issue has also been the subject of sustained media attention.
• What is the Government doing to establish a national breast implant registry?
• In 2018, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Task Force) updated its guideline on screening for breast cancer in women aged 40-74, who are not at increased risk for breast cancer. Since this guideline’s publication, some advocacy groups, including medical imaging professionals and researchers, have publicly contested various aspects of the guideline.
• The Task Force announced in June 2023 that it was undertaking an expedited update of the 2018 guideline. Due to the complexity and amount of evidence being assessed, a publication date of spring 2024 is being targeted.
• On April 30, 2024, the United States Preventive Services Task Force issued the final version of their recommendation on breast cancer screening, which includes lowering the age of screening initiation from 50 to 40. It is anticipated that the release of this final guideline will generate stakeholder and media interest.
• Overview of federal action on key Canada Health Act compliance issues.