Question Period Note: Security at the National Microbiology Laboratory

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• Following a motion for the production of papers by the Special Committee on Canada-China relations, there has been a renewed interest in security protocols at the National Microbiology Laboratory.
• The Government of Canada takes threats to research security, intellectual property and business interests seriously.
• The National Microbiology Laboratory is a world class facility and abides by all Government of Canada mandatory procedures for secure facilities.
• All individuals working within the National Microbiology Laboratory undergo a security screening and must adhere to Government of Canada security protocols, procedures and policies based on the level of access required.

If pressed on scientific collaborations with other countries
• Collaborations with laboratories outside of Canada are critical to advancing public health research and science aimed at improving public health on a global scale, including research into infectious diseases.
• As an institution with global partnerships, the National Microbiology Laboratory looks to open science and collaboration as core to its work, and has policies and processes that allow for scientific collaboration.

If pressed on collaborations between NML and China
• While the NML does not have institutional-level collaborations with China, Canada’s scientists have collaborated with Chinese scientists to contribute to the global public health fight against deadly diseases, such as Ebola. These collaborations have yielded vaccine and treatment candidates for diseases, as documented in peer-reviewed journals.

Collaborations
The NML Science Excellence Program launched in September 2019 and is aimed at strengthening policies and processes that allow for appropriate scientific collaboration while adhering to established security controls.
While active collaborations may be time limited, publications resulting from collaborations can be expected for many years. Publications must acknowledge the contributions of the individuals involved through the scientific process, from inception to final write up. It is not possible to say how many future publications could result from previous experimentation. The research work is intended to result in academic publications for the advancement of science and knowledge, and so the intent is that papers will be openly published in the normal community of peer-reviewed journals. The preparation and publication of these manuscripts is being done in accordance to government policy in support of open science.

Queries Regarding Employment Status
PHAC has received numerous questions from media as well as members of parliament regarding the employment status of individuals as well as work performed at the NML. PHAC has important obligations under the Privacy Act. As such, employment status with PHAC is not considered personal information, but any additional information about individuals that are not or were not employees is considered personal information and cannot be disclosed.

Security Screening at PHAC
Federal departments and agencies are responsible for managing the security screening process following the Treasury Board Policy on Government Security. Approvals are granted by the Deputy Head/President of PHAC or delegated official. At PHAC, the Chief Security Officer is responsible for the management of the security screening program.

• Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) is known around the world for scientific excellence and contributions to global health. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) engages in important scientific research relationships to advance public health research and science aimed at improving public health. Collaborations with labs outside of Canada are critical to advance public health research into infectious diseases.