Summaries of the April 23, 29 and 30, 2020, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
On this page
- List of abbreviations
- Committee Report – April 23, 2020
- Committee Report – April 29, 2020
- Committee Report – April 30, 2020
List of abbreviations
- AAFC
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- BDC
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- BQ
- Bloc Québécois
- CEBA
- Canada Emergency Business Account
- CEWS
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- CFIA
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- CPC
- Conservative Party of Canada
- CRTC
- Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
- CanNor
- Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
- DOJ
- Department of Justice
- DP3T
- Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing
- EDC
- Export Development Canada
- GAC
- Global Affairs Canada
- GPC
- Green Party of Canada
- ICA
- Investment Canada Act
- INDU
- Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
- IRAP
- Industrial Research Assistance Program
- ISED
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development
- LPC
- Liberal Party of Canada
- MIN
- Minister
- NDP
- New Democratic Party
- PIPEDA
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
- PPE
- Personal Protective Equipment
- RDA
- Regional Development Agency
- RRRF
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
- SHRD
- Scientific Research and Experimental Development
- TBS
- Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada
Committee Report – April 23, 2020
Name of Committee: Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
Prepared by: Gaétan Champagne, Parliamentary Affairs, ISED
Date and Time: April 23, 2020 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Topic of Meeting
- Canadian Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Members in Attendance / Membres présents
- Sherry Romanado (LPC): Chair
- Michelle Rempel Garner (CPC): 1st Vice-Chair
- Sébastien Lemire (BQ): 2nd Vice-Chair
- Earl Dreeshen (CPC)
- Ali Ehsassi (LPC)
- Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (LPC)
- Tracy Gray (CPC)
- Gord Johns (NDP)
- Majid Jowhari (LPC)
- Emmanuella Lambropoulos (LPC)
- Jeremy Patzer (CPC)
- Paul Manly (Green Party)
- Simon-Pierre Savard Tremblay (BQ)
Witnesses: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- The Hon. Mary Ng, P.C., M.P., Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
Innovation, Science and Economic Development:
- Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister
- Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister
- Frances McRae, Assistant Deputy Minister, Small Business and Marketplace Services
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (International Trade)
- John Hannaford, Deputy Minister of International Trade
Witnesses: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development:
- Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister
- Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister
- Frances McRae, Assistant Deputy Minister, Small Business and Marketplace Services
Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
- Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Director General, Investment and Innovation
- Kendal Hembroff, Director General, Trade Negotiations Amended
Summary / Sommaire
The INDU committee met today via Videoconference to hear from the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade as it began on a study into the Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Minister Ng was accompanied by Senior Officials from both Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Technical issues delayed the scheduled beginning of the meeting by approximately 20 minutes.
At the outset of the meeting, Michelle Rempel-Garner raised an issue concerning member of the Green Party participating at this meeting. The Chair explained that a member of the Liberal Party would be sharing their time with the Green Party representative (Paul Manly).
Minister Ng delivered a short opening statement and was the only witness who did deliver a statement.
- As the Minister explained, the majority of Canada’s small business entrepreneurs have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The Minister spoke to the benefits of CEBA and other measures that the Government has enacted to help small businesses and noted that these measures are going to help small businesses keep the employees they employ.
- The Minister went on to state that the Government has acted fast and these measures are just a first step.
Following her statement, Gord Johns (NDP) raised an issue with the Minister leaving at noon, noting that this would result in the NDP losing their opportunity at directing questions towards her. The Minister agreed to stay longer than her allotted time.
A number of topics were raised during the meeting.
- The Conservative members focused a number of questions on what measures the Government has planned or is planning to re-start the economy.
- The Bloc Quebecois members were interested in the details of the various benefit programs and what measures the Government has planned for debt relief.
- The NDP were most interested in ensuring that additional measures are brought such as rent relief in to assist small businesses.
The meeting was divided into two panels, the first panel consisted of the Minister with her officials and the second panel consisted of the departmental officials.
The unedited transcript of today’s meeting will be forwarded once it is available.
Panel 1 (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
Michelle Rempel-Garner (CPC) (1st Vice-Chair) began her question time by noting the time lost to technical issues and also noted that the Minister of Industry has yet to appear before the INDU committee and commented that this is “completely unacceptable”. Ms. Rempel-Garner then moved a motion that the Minister appear before April 30th on the date that would be at his convenience. Debate on this motion followed. Ms. Rempel-Garner noted that she would be available at whatever time would work for the Minister. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (L) noted that the Minister should appear “next week”. A recorded vote on the motion was held and the motion was adopted on division (10 - Y / 1 – N).
Following that vote, Ms. Rempel-Garner asked for consensus from the committee that INDU commit to holding two meetings next week on both Tuesday and Thursday, regardless of whether the HoC holds a virtual sitting during the same time that INDU will meet. The Chair committed that she will ensure that INDU will hold two meetings, though acknowledged that due to limited technical capability, this may not be possible.
Ms. Rempel-Garner asked the Minister a series of questions on whether the Government has started to remove the current mass isolation measures in a safe and staged approach and when will the Government table a plan to re-open the economy? The Minister responded that the Government is focused on flattening the curve and will keep working to assist businesses. Ms. Rempel-Garner followed up by noting that a plan to re-open the economy is needed, and continued to ask on when would that plan be forthcoming - and whether there is there any timeline?
Paul Manly (Green Party) who was given time by the Liberal Party noted to the Minister that the issue of rent payment with small businesses is a going concern and asked the Minister if there is plan to assist small businesses with their rent.
Sébastien Lemire (BQ) (2nd Vice-Chair) commented that the Independent Federation of Small Businesses noted concerns with cash flow and some businesses being inadmissible to some of the existing benefit programs and noted that there are a number of holes in the safety nets and asked when details of the small business benefit programs would be available. The Minister noted that the Quebec RDA and the Community Futures Program have received increased funding.
Simon-Pierre Savard Tremblay (BQ) followed up with the same line of questioning as his BQ colleague, Mr. Lemire.
Gord Johns (NDP) noted issues with many restaurants indicating that they are not expecting to re-open mostly due to issue with rent payments coming due. Mr. Johns commented that these businesses need to know when the Government and the Provinces will have a deal in place to assist restaurant owners - not so much with loans but with subsidies. The Minister responded that she understands the urgency of this issue. Mr. Johns noted that “Gross Revenue” should be the measurement by which benefits are determined. The Minister responded that the Government will continue to listen to businesses and the Government continues to works on this.
Tracy Gray (CPC) followed up with more questions on when the economy is expected to re-open and what is the Government’s plan. Ms. Gray commented that other countries are farther ahead than Canada with respect to the opening of their economies and asked whether the Government is following these “best practices” and studying other models. Ms. Gray followed up with questions concerning work between the Federal Government and the Provinces and Territories with respect to testing and test kits.
Ali Ehsassi (L) asked the Minister to express her concerns for the hardships that small businesses are currently undergoing. The Minister responded that moving too quickly could result in a resurgence of the virus and that job #1 is to halt the flow of the virus and that the Government is trying to save businesses, save jobs and keep Canadians safe.
Panel 2 (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
Earl Dreeshen (CPC) spoke of the importance of having a “relaunch strategy”, commenting that this is something that is critical and remarked that small businesses know how to social distance. Mr. Dreeshen asked the ISED Deputy Minister to explain when the Government will provide tangible liquidity measures to help small and medium sized businesses and how much help can they expect to see? The ISED Deputy Minister (Simon Kennedy) responded that this was a question better directed to Finance, though he did note that the Government is working closely with the BDC. Mr. Dreeshen followed up with a question concerning Agricultural businesses.
Emmanuella Lambropoulos (L) commented that many businesses in her riding are happy with the measure undertaken by the Government, but are asking what other measures are being considered. The Associate Deputy Minister (Paul Thompson) responded that BDC and EDC are providing new supports including rent relief and noted that extensive efforts are ongoing between the Federal and Provincial Governments. Ms. Lambropoulos asked the GAC officials as to respond on what efforts are going on to bring in more PPE.
Simon-Pierre Savard Tremblay (BQ) asked the GAC officials whether other countries have restrictions on exporting essential equipment. The GAC officials acknowledged that other countries have put restrictions in place.
Gord Johns (NDP) noted that 49% of small businesses with staff of less than 5 are not eligible for CEBA (and referred community municipal officials as an example). Mr. Thompson responded that exclusions are for Federal officials only and at Mr. Johns request committed to following up on his behalf.
Jeremy Patzer (CPC) asked the ISED Deputy Minister whether there are any parts of the supply chain at risk of disruption. Mr. Kennedy responded that this is being tracked closely and disruptions are minimized. Mr. Patzer wanted to know where there are other issues with the supply chain. The ISED Deputy Minister noted shortages and challenges with the manufacturing of PPE. Mr. Patzer asked Mr. Kennedy to table a report on the work that has been done between the Department and manufacturers who are interested in re-tooling or volunteering to assist. Mr. Patzer also asked whether the Government has given the department any direction on a plan to re-open the economy.
Majid Jowhari (L) followed on the issue of PPEs and asked both the ISED Deputy Minister and the GAC Minister questions. Specifically to GAC, he asked for example of partnering with other countries. To the ISED Deputy Minister, he asked for the criteria and the assessment templates that potential manufacturers would need to follow.
Michelle Rempel-Garner (CPC) (1st Vice-Chair) followed up on the series undertakings that were generated during the Supplementary B appearance in late February and asked whether the responses had now been tabled with the committee (they had) and whether the ISED Deputy Minister finds it acceptable that it took 3 months to table these responses. The Deputy Minister confirmed that it is always his intention to respond as quickly as possible.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (L) had questions concerning eligibility criteria for CEBA, and asked ISED to explain the rationale for the $20,000 threshold. Mr. Thompon responded that this issue is being discussed with Finance. Concerning digital contact tracing, Mr. Erskine-Smith asked for an update on where the Government is at, noting that he had yet to see a clear plan. Mr. Kennedy responding that the department is working closely with Health Canada and the provinces. Mr. Erskine-Smith asked whether the department could provide a backgrounder on what has been done? Mr. Kennedy responded that this could be provided. Concerning testing, what is goal for tests per day? Mr. Kennedy responded that this question would be directed to Health Canada.
Simon-Pierre Savard Tremblay (BQ) concerning the business credits offered by the BDC, has the Government considered a debt crisis and is a solution being considered. Mr. Thompson responded that there have been many measures that have been taken and the Government is working with many stakeholders and as of now the Government is focusing on loans and the benefit programs such as the Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
Gord Johns (NDP) wanted to know what the Banks are being asked to do. Mr. Thompson noted that Banks are providing rent and loans relief. Mr. Johns also raised the issue on whether the Government is ensuring that benefit assistance stays in Canada.
Follow-up Items:
During the second panel:
- Mr. Patzer (CPC) asked Mr. Kennedy to table a report on the work that has been done and is ongoing between the Department and manufacturers who are interested in re-tooling or volunteering to assist.
- Mr. Erskine-Smith (Lib) asked whether the department could provide a backgrounder on what has been done re: digital contact tracing? Mr. Kennedy responded that this could be provided.
Next Steps
Please note: Once the transcript of the meeting will be available, ISED will review it to properly identify all possible follow-ups.
The INDU Committee will continue its study at its next meeting currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th.
- Currently scheduled to appear at this meeting are the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages. Minister Joly will be supported by Senior Officials from Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Appearing with Minister Joly will be the Hon. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
- Given the motion passed today, it is likely that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (the Hon. Navdeep Bains) may also appear sometime next week.
Committee Report – April 29, 2020
Name of Committee: Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
Date: April 29, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Topic of Meeting / Sujet de la réunion
- Canadian Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Members in Attendance
- Sherry Romanado (L) : Chair
- Michelle Rempel Garner (CPC) : 1st Vice-Chair
- Sébastien Lemire (BQ): 2nd Vice-Chair
- Brian Masse (NDP): (3rd Vice-Chair)
- John Barlow (CPC)
- Earl Dreeshen (CPC)
- Terry Duguid (L):
- Ali Ehsassi (L)
- Tracy Gray (CPC)
- Majid Jowhari (L)
- Emmanuella Lambropoulos (L)
- Lloyd Longfield (L)
- Paul Manly (Green Party)
- Jeremy Patzer (CPC)
- Yves Perron (BQ)
Witnesses: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Hon. Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P., Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
- Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, P.C., M.P., Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Department of Industry
- Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister
- Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Siddika Mithani, President
Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Chris Forbes, Deputy Minister
Witnesses: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Department of Industry
- Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister
- Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Siddika Mithani, President
Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Chris Forbes, Deputy Minister
Summary / Sommaire
The INDU committee met today via Videoconference to hear from the Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food as it continued on its study into the Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ministers Joly and Bibeau were accompanied by Senior Officials from both Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and and Agriculture and Agri-Food (Ag-Food).
The tone of this meeting was respectful somewhat collaborative. There were not any procedural issues or points of orders that came up. The questions appeared to be evenly divided between the two Ministers and their portfolios.
The CPC members were notably interested in Agricultural issues and some Tourism issues. Ms. Rempel-Garner’s questions focused on the Oil and Gas sector.
The BQ members were evenly divided between Agriculture and Industry (Small Business) issues.
The NDP member was mostly interested in Tourism issues and had some questions related to BDC loan rates.
The Green Party member was focused on Agricultural issues.
The unedited transcript of today’s meeting will be forwarded once it is available.
Panel 1 (6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Minister Joly opened the meeting with brief opening comments - a few highlights:
- We are hearing that our efforts are having tangible benefits:
- we are also hearing that it is very difficult for small businesses, that they need more support and that is what we are doing;
- we have worked with the provinces to implement rent relief measures;
- Our six federal regional economic development agencies are well positioned to help workers and businesses in this time of crisis;
- we created the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), which has a total budget of $962 million;
- this fund will support businesses that are unable to benefit from existing programs, and that play a key role in their local economy;
- Tourism has been hard hit;
- we have concrete support measures distributed within all regions of the country.
Minister Bibeau followed up with her own opening comments - a few highlights:
- We would like to thank our food processors and suppliers;
- Everyone is working very hard to adapt to the enormous pressures on the supply chain;
- the food industry stepping up to feed all of Canada;
- Everyone is working very hard to adapt to the enormous pressures on the supply chain;
- our team is working around the clock to assist the food sector and we are looking at additional measures to support the sector;
- meat plants have been significantly impacted;
- our Government is looking at working directly with the Food industry including the Agriculture and Agri-Food sector;
- the fruit and vegetables sector relies heavily on temporary foreign workers and we have eased the restrictions on these workers specifically within the Agriculture industry;
- Trade is vital to our food supply, Canadians and citizens around the world need access to safe food - we recognize that collaboration with our international partners s important to food security;
- We would like to thank our workers in the Agriculture and Agri-food sector.
Questions
John Barlow (CPC):
- To Minister Bibeau, you have not come forward with any real measures or solutions?
- To Minister Bibeau, do you know how much it costs to feed hogs and poultry in one day?
- To Minister Bibeau, what programs will you announce in the coming days to assist the cattle, pork and poultry industry?
- To Minister Bibeau, the vast majority of Agriculture does not subscribe to any of the current benefit programs being offered;
- To Minister Bibeau, something must be done to ensure the processing plants (i.e.: Cargill) remain open - we are on the verge of a food crisis.
Ali Ehsassi (L):
- Asked Minister Bibeau to explain the work being done with the Provinces including the risk management measures;
- To Minister Bibeau, concerning the beef sector, has the Federal Government worked with the Provinces on a seamless collaboration?
- To Minister Joly, concerning the 962 million to RDAs, could you “unpack” that to explain what the RDAs are doing with the funding?
Sébastien Lemire (BQ) (2nd Vice-Chair)
- To Minister Joly, concerning small and very small businesses, they are being left behind - we are still waiting on the details, such as the criteria - when will there be assistance available to assist these very small businesses? Minister Joly responded that the Government is going to be massively increasing funding to these businesses and increasing the social security net.
- To Minister Joly, we still don’t know when this funding will be available? Minister Joly responded “very soon”.
- To Minister Bibeau, are there programs which could be adapted for Agriculture? Minister Bibeau responded the challenges will be significant in the coming months as it concerns bringing in Temporary Foreign Workers.
Brian Masse (NDP) (3rd Vice-Chair):
- To Minister Joly, are you aware that the BDC is raising its rates during this crisis? Minister Joly noted that businesses can turn to the RDAs;
- To Minister Joly, to whom do they contact to get some assistance? Minister Joly responded that she had not heard of this issue with the BDC raising its rates, but will follow-up on this with Minister Ng.
- To Minister Joly to whom do they call in the RDAs. Is there a contact name?
- To Minister Joly, what do I say to the Tourism industry looking for Student Summer Jobs - since there has been a reduction in summer job placements? Minister Joly responded that the measures are targeted towards Tourism.
- To Minister Joly, the single event sports betting law needs to be changed. Minister Joly responded that she would be following up on this issue with the Minister of Justice.
Earl Dreeshen (CPC):
- To Minister Bibeau, Mr. Dreeshen raised many issues and questions related to the Agriculture sector and farmers;
- To Minister Bibeau, he raised issues with the decreasing number of Temporary Foreign Workers coming into Canada;
- In her response, Minister Bibeau noted the “Step Up to the Plate” program to attract people into the food industry.
Majid Jowhari (L):
- To Minister Joly, Mr. Jowhari followed up on the 962 million funding to the RDAs and asked how will this be distributed among the RDAs? Minister Joly responded that this is the first time the RDAs are being used to stabilize a situation and what we are telling Canadians is if you do not have access to any of the other benefits to come and see the RDAs.
- to Minister Joly, how will the funds be distributed? Is there a region that has been hit harder? Minister Joly noted in her response that the West has been particularly hit hard.
Tracy Gray (CPC):
- To Minister Joly, do you have a plan for the Tourism industry, once the economy begins to re-open?
- To Minister Joly, what date will you announce your plan? Minister Joly noted that she did not refer specifically to a plan and asked Ms. Gray to forward any ideas she may have for an economy re-opening plan.
- To Minister Joly, will the requirement for a minimum payroll of $20,000 to be eligible for the benefit programs be fixed. Minister Joly responded that Ms. Gray’s constituents of whom she referred to in her question could contact Western Economic Diversification.
Emmanuella Lambropoulos (L):
- To Minister Bibeau, can you advise of the measures put in place to help with food stability within the community?
- To Minister Bibeau, what has the Government done to protect workers in the food industry (processing plants)? Minister Bibeau responded that it is the responsibility of the plant owners to put in proper safety measures.
Yves Perron (BQ):
- Directed questions to Minister Bibeau concerning the dairy sector and the Free Trade agreement with the United States.
Brian Masse (NDP) (3rd Vice-Chair):
- To Minister Bibeau, have you considered declaring a National Disaster? Minister Bibeau responded that this is being considered.
Jeremy Patzer (CPC)
- To Minister Bibeau, what shortages are we experiencing in our food chain?
- To Minister Bibeau, he noted that the Business Risk Management programs do not come close to helping the Agriculture sector. Minister Bibeau responded that we are looking at where the gaps are and we look forward to sharing more with you.
- To Minister Bibeau, do you have any plans to help the Canola Growers. Minister Bibeau responded with the types of measures that have been put in place.
Terry Duguid (L):
- To Minister Joly, can you share what measures have been taken to assist the North? Minister Joly responded with an explanation of the funding measures that have been brought to the North via CanNor.
Michelle Rempel-Garner (CPC) (1st Vice-Chair)
- To Minister Joly - concerning the amount of 1.4 billion funding that is being invested by Oil and Gas companies on Clean Tech - what percentage of the total investments in the Clean Tech does that amount represent?
- To Minister Joly - 75% of clean tech investments come from the Oil & Gas sector and noted that this amount will be decreasing this year.
- To Minister Joly, concerning comments from the Environment Minister that the economic recovery should be focused on the creation of meaningful jobs, why have you not provided more funding to the Energy Sector? Minister Joly noted in her response that the Government does need to work with the Oil and Gas Industry.
- To Minister Joly, are you pressuring Minster Morneau to provide adequate support to the Energy sector and its workers?
Lloyd Longfield (L)
- To Minister Joly, concerning the Regional Relief Fund, could you comment on how not-for-profits can access this funding?
Paul Manly (Green Party)
- Directed a question to Minister Bibeau concerning allow more smaller operations in the Agriculture sector and a question concerning funding to local food banks.
Sébastien Lemire (BQ) (2nd Vice-Chair)
- Noted that access to high-speed internet is a major issue for Canadians, making a reference to technical issues with this meeting.
Brian Masse (NDP) (3rd Vice-Chair):
- To Minister Joly, concerning advertising dollars being focused in Canada - has the Government given this any thought? Minister Joly responded that the Government has stopped doing any international advertising and are looking to support local tourism and are looking to support more regions.
Earl Dreeshen (CPC):
- To the CFIA, Canada’s regulation approach should be acting as a catalyst for the Agriculture industry. Will CFIA be using this time to ensure that firms in Canada’s Agriculture are not being stymied in their efforts by regulations?
Lloyd Longfield (L)
- Concerning the protection of processing plant employees how is AAFC working with Health Canada to support the employees in the plants safe?
Ali Ehsassi (L):
- To the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, these are difficult times for people in the cattle industry - how concerned should we be for the level of integration between Canada and the U.S. for our food producers? The Deputy Minister responded that the integration has served Canada quite well.
Follow-up Items:
There did not appear to be any requested or promised undertakings back to the committee.
Ms. Joly noted to follow-up with two Cabinet colleagues on issues related to their respective mandates.
Next Steps
The INDU Committee will continue its study tomorrow, Thursday, April 30, 2020.
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Appearing
- Hon. Navdeep Bains, P.C., M.P., Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Witnesses
Department of Industry
- Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister
- Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister
Committee Report – April 30, 2020
Name of Committee: Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
Report prepared by: Gaëtan Champagne, ISED, 613-219-9840
Date and time: April 30, 11am-1pm
Location: Videoconference / West Block, Room 125-B
Topic of Meeting
- Canadian Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Members and associate members in attendance:
- Sherry Romanado (L) : Chair
- Michelle Rempel Garner (CPC) : 1st Vice-Chair
- Sébastien Lemire (BQ): 2nd Vice-Chair
- Brian Masse (NDP): (3rd Vice-Chair)
- Earl Dreeshen (CPC)
- Ali Ehsassi (L)
- Tracy Gray (CPC)
- Majid Jowhari (L)
- Emmanuella Lambropoulos (L)
- Lloyd Longfield (L)
- Paul Manly (Green Party)
- Jeremy Patzer (CPC)
- Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (L)
- Martin Champoux (BQ)
- Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay (BQ)
- Mario Simard (BQ)
Witness(es):
Appearing
- Hon. Navdeep Bains, P.C., M.P., Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Witnesses
Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)
- Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister
- Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister
Overview of hearing:
The tone of the meeting was mainly cordial with one exception.
Michelle Rempel-Garner (CPC) kept pushing the Minister to point to provisions within Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) that would protect Canadians privacy. She made it known that she did not like the Minister’s answers.
Highlights of hearing:
The Liberals focused their questions on the following:
- Testing capacity: Elaborate on the work your dept has undertaken to insure we have the reagents and swabs necessary for increasing testing
- Do you have a sense of the capacity that we require and what you are asked to build?
- Rapid testing - How much has the Government invested with Spartan BIOscience?
- Do we have a sense of what our investment translates into terms of tests and how much investment is required to attain the necessary level?
- Digital contact tracing: What efforts are under way and if those effort going to build off Apple or Google’s work?
- Testing kits: Considering where and how to distribute the testing kits (allocation).
- Ventilators: When will the first ones be delivered?
- What exactly is the procurement process, how is ISED involved in the process? What are the next steps after that?
- Re-opening Industry: Is there a road map - clear roles and responsibilities - timelines -guidelines to follow?
- How does the Government of Canada play a role in the developing guidelines
- What tool do we use to monitor this? (more testing.)
- Is contact tracing and testing going to be the drivers to provide the general guidelines.
- Timelines/Roadmap - In the works?
- Update on what our Scientists (University of Saskatchewan) are doing?
- Re-open: IRAP - Could you tell us how crucial IRAP is to assisting provinces to re-open?
- What is the Government doing to ensure that proper PPE equipment for workers being pulled back based on the strain on the supply chain re-opening in the US for truck manufacturing?
- How are we engaging with companies to increase testing?
- Speak to the Coordination efforts with provinces to achieve a safe opening of our automotive plants
- How are we coordinating these new technologies and additional testing to further improve the health and safety of workers?
- Are you familiar of the DP3T standard?
- Are you looking to rely on the Apple Google framework?
- Adoption rates: Can you speak to some of the limitations of contact tracing?
The Conservatives focused their questions on the following:
- Several provinces have set up checkpoints between provinces, have you reached out to your Provincial counterparts to make sure the supply chain is not affected by possible increase in inter-provincial movement of goods.
- How many PPEs were defective?
- Do we have the domestic capacity for production shortfall for PPEs?
- Buy Buy Buy Build Build Build - How many PPEs did the government buy and how many PPE has Canada built?
- What is your plan to move these essential goods between provinces/territories
- Brewies-Winneries-Distelleries hit hard - Have you spoken to your Provincial/Territorial counterparts about opening up Inter-Provincial direct shipping?
- Can you confirm former Ambassador McNaughton is advising Government/ISED on response to COVID 19 response?
- Can you confirm what former Ambassador McNaughton has said regarding Palenteer is advising fed Government response on the COVID 19 pandemic?
- PIPEDA - Contact Tracing Apps – What mechanism is in place to ensure that the health data would not be monetise or sold after the pandemic?
- Functional nothing exists to prevent health data to be sold from these pro-bono creators to insurance companies for example.
- Are you confident a pro-bono apps develop would fall under PIPEDA?
- Have you raised this gap with the provinces?
- How many companies are actively producing PPEs for Canada? (Follow up)
- Retooling: Wondering why I am having trouble-finding companies retooling in the Prairies (Follow up)?
- Why are we waiting until July for PPEs?
- Are the masks being made in Canada?
- Why it is that High Tech start-ups are not finding difficult to be engaged in this program (CEWS)?
- Can you point to a section of PIPEDA that would protect Canadians for contact tracing?
- Interpretation of Consent from Terms Conditions? Is your Dept. doing any study on this?
- What part of PIPEDA would apply to pro-bono apps?
- What framework are you using for health data? Have you developed a formal privacy consent framework?
- Privacy impact assessments (TBS) - Has a privacy impact assessment being drafted at ISED?
- DOJ, Privacy commissioner or ISED given advice to the MIN regarding gaps in PIPEDA.
- Point to jurisprudence where a similar situation has occurred? (pro-bono app development)
- Red Tape: Can you confirm if the corporate registration standardization (specific issue) has been resolved?
- Rural Broadband - How are we going to get this issue resolved if it takes 4 years to get dollars to the program?
- What can we expect realistically - CRTC goals vs Government’s Goals (2025 vs 2030)
- Will ISED prioritise internet and cellular connectivity in rural areas?
- Regional Relief Funds – Will your dept. commit that rural areas are prioritized
Questions posées par le BQ
- Accès au réseau internet/cellulaire: Enjeux essentiels - Couts supplémentaires – Comment assurez- vous un accès internet et mobile et médiatique abordable et de qualité?
- Quels sont les échéanciers raisonnables pour que tous soient branchés?
- Pourquoi ne pas mettre ce chantier (installation) en marche maintenant?
- Est-ce que l'idée d'une transition écologique morte avec cette crise?
- Qu'est ce qu'on va soutenir (investissement) dans le post-COVID 19?
- Accès à l'internet : Est-ce que vous êtes prêt à reconnaitre l’accès à l’internet/cellulaire comme un service essentiel?
- Pour vous c’est quoi un échéancier raisonnables (2030)?
- Est-ce un ordre d’idée de l’échéancier ou l’étude de projet vont redémarrer?
The NDP focused their questions on the following:
- PM said: Transitioning away from manufacturing based employment as a base drive in the economy. Do you agree with the PM?
- What is being done to protect investments to stay in Canada (IP included)? Are these stipulations part of deals (contracts)?
- These measures in binding contracts with supply chains we are supporting now.
- SHRD tax credit - What percentage are being allocated to fees or third party administration?
- Are we doing any contract work with Privacy issues that need to be enhanced because the Privacy commissioner has asked for modernisation?
- WIFI essential service: What do you say to Telco companies that are not giving enough price relief (Rural and Remote)?
- Problem with Pricing - Will you step in to regulate pricing?
- BDC - Were you aware that the BDC has raised its interest rates? Will the dept. intervene?
- Raise borrowing costs - This seem absurd, how does the BDC get away with doing this? (follow up)
- What is the exact difference in the Investment Canada Act (ICA) policy change announced?
The GPC focused their questions on the following:
- What is being done on the Internet issue?
Follow-up required/Next steps:
- Single report (merge with follow up during Min Ng appearance): List of companies that are actively producing PPEs for Canada?
- Name of companies out west that have been involved in the process (retooling)
- Raise borrowing costs – BDC
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