Question Period Notes
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With broader reopening, it is expected the influenza season could reappear this fall or winter.
To enable Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada (GC) was required to make significant short-term investments to increase Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) capacity as the lead federal Agency in the COVID-19 response. Much of this investment has been short-term. A PHAC renewal exercise, which is already underway, will help inform longer-term financial needs.
Suicide is a significant public health issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds across Canada. On December 2, 2021, a CTV News report highlighted the suicide epidemic in Nunavut. In an email to CTVNews.ca, Nunavut’s Chief Coroner Khen Sagadraca said 36 suicides had been recorded so far in the territory as of November 18, 2021.
• To reduce the impact of COVID-19 on Canadians, the Government of Canada established a Federal Rapid Surge Capacity initiative to augment existing services in areas where needs are most critical, including Health Human Resources (HHR). The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and highlighted pre-existing shortages in Canada’s HHR capacity. Fatigue and burnout among health professionals continue to expose some of these gaps.
• In addition to funding provided to provinces and territories (PT) through Safe Restart Agreements, tools have been developed to provide federal surge supports to PT for COVID-19 pandemic response. Surge supports, including HHR, are available for consideration when needs exceed municipal, provincial, and territorial capabilities.
In Canada, vaccination is a shared responsibility among the federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments. The majority of costs are borne by the provinces and territories (PTs), who are responsible for the planning and delivery of vaccination programs. Vaccines are not covered by the Canada Health Act, and are therefore provided as supplementary services at the discretion of PTs.
All provinces and territories, with the exception of Nunavut, have implemented domestic proof of vaccination requirements within their jurisdiction (e.g. to enter certain non-essential businesses or events).
The Government of Canada has established a pan-Canadian no-fault Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP). The program ensures that all people in Canada who have experienced a serious and permanent injury as a result of receiving a Health Canada authorized vaccine, administered in Canada, on or after December 8, 2020, have access to fair and timely financial support. The new VISP brings Canada in line with a growing number of countries that have such programs in place, including all G7 counterparts.
Our Government remains committed to implementing, and fully funding a national, three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened long-standing challenges regarding substance use and the overdose crisis, with most jurisdictions reporting record high rates of overdose deaths and harms.
• In addition, people who use drugs are also facing additional barriers and risks related to the toxicity of the illegal drug supply and reduced access to health and social services, including life-saving harm reduction and treatment services.
• To further support efforts in communities, Budget 2021 provided an additional $116 million over two years to address the opioid overdose crisis and problematic substance use by funding a range of innovative approaches to harm reduction, treatment, and prevention.
• The Cannabis Act requires the Minister of Health to initiate a review of the Act’s administration and operation starting three years after the Act came into force (i.e., after October 17, 2021). The Minister is required to table a report on the review, including any findings or recommendations resulting from it, in both Houses of Parliament no later than 18 months after the review begins.