Question Period Notes
About this information
In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
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• The government is committed to creating a new Canadian Drug Agency (CDA, the Agency). The Canadian Drug Agency Transition Office (CDATO) is engaging provinces, territories, and stakeholders to develop options for the mandate and functions of the new agency. The CDATO also supports work on other pharmacare-related initiatives (e.g., national formulary, drugs for rare diseases strategy).
• The Government has committed to implement national pharmacare, including a Canadian Drug Agency, a national formulary, a national strategy for drugs for rare diseases, and a Canada Pharmacare bill.
• The brand-name pharmaceutical industry has expressed concerns that the regulatory amendments could result in reduced pharmaceutical investments and reduced access to medicines. They have also filed legal proceedings. To date, the Federal Court ruled to maintain most of the Amendments, but struck down the collection of confidential rebate information. This ruling is currently the subject of an appeal by the applicants and cross-appeal by the Crown. In a separate challenge, the Court of Appeal of Québec found that the three new price regulatory factors and collection of confidential rebate information to be invalid. Neither party has decided to seek leave to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada, therefore those provisions would be of no force or effect in Québec.
• COVID Alert App currently continues to be maintained by Health Canada and uses strong measures to protect the privacy and confidentiality of data. A process to decommission the app as of June 10, 2022 is currently underway, although not yet public.
• Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are working closely with the provinces and territories, federal organizations, as well as distribution channels in the private sector and non-profit organizations, such as the Canadian chambers of commerce, Canadian Red Cross and pharmacies, to distribute rapid tests and self tests.
Beginning in early April 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) had reported an increase in cases of acute severe hepatitis in children not caused by known hepatitis viruses. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial and territorial health partners across the country to investigate cases in Canada. As of May 19, 2022, 10 cases of acute severe hepatitis in children that meet the national case definition have been identified in Canada. PHAC continues to work with its provincial and territorial health partners to further investigate these cases.
Antimicrobial resistance has become a leading cause of death and has been declared a top global health threat by the World Health Organization. Coordinated ‘One Health’ action across the human and animal health sectors and the environment is needed to address the growing threat to Canadians and our healthcare system.
The Government of Canada is committed to improving the health and well-being of autistic Canadians and to supporting caregivers. The Government is also committed to working collaboratively with provinces, territories, families, autistic Canadians, and stakeholders toward the creation of a national autism strategy.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has put successive border measures in place, in response to COVID-19, under the Quarantine Act.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death. Those who have diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications. Canadians living with diabetes may be at greater risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.