Health

The House of Commons Health Committee met to study Health Canada’s and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) priorities. Appearing were Greg Orencsak, Deputy Minister of Health; Nancy Hamzawi, President of PHAC; and Kendal Weber, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch.

Greg Orencsak outlined Health Canada’s work on modernizing regulations through a red tape review, reducing trade barriers, and streamlining rules. He highlighted efforts to disrupt illegal drug production and distribution, including a new precursor chemical risk management unit and emergency controls on fentanyl precursors. He also discussed supporting internationally trained health professionals, advancing digital health tools, expanding the youth mental health fund, and noted that over five million Canadians are approved for the Canadian dental care plan. He did not make specific asks or recommendations.

Nancy Hamzawi identified three top public health concerns: highly pathogenic avian influenza, ongoing measles outbreaks, and the toxic drug crisis. She noted Canada has obtained 870,000 doses of avian influenza vaccine and warned that Canada risks losing its measles elimination status due to sustained transmission, with 93% of cases in unvaccinated individuals. On the drug crisis, she reported a daily average of 18 opioid toxicity deaths. She stated that PHAC is undergoing a transformation with 320 position cuts, but that the national microbiology laboratory was the least affected branch, with a 4% reduction. She disagreed with suggestions that PHAC’s science strategy is racist, clarifying that it reflects a commitment to health equity and anti-racist approaches. She committed to tabling a publication on COVID-19 modelling.

Kendal Weber confirmed that Health Canada reviews supervised consumption site applications on a case-by-case basis, with no automatic prohibition on proximity to schools. She stated there have been no deaths at these sites, which have responded to over 65,000 overdoses and had 5.3 million visits since 2017. On the B.C. decriminalization pilot, she said no extension request has been received and the exemption expires in January 2026, with metrics including health care utilization, well-being of drug users, law enforcement, and public awareness. She noted that Health Canada no longer funds safer supply projects and that no funding is used to purchase crack pipes. On cannabis, she said the department has taken measures to revoke authorizations for excessive production but did not commit to implementing the expert panel’s recommendation to limit personal production to one person per site, noting that distribution in pharmacies is a provincial matter.

During questioning, Weber disagreed with Conservative members who pressed for a commitment to reject a supervised consumption site application near schools, stating that community consultation is a key factor. Orencsak defended Health Canada’s drug approval timelines, saying they compare favourably with other G7 countries, and noted work on mutual reliance with trusted regulators. On nicotine pouches, he explained that a ministerial order restricted sales to behind pharmacy counters to protect youth, and the department continues to review evidence. On national licensure for physicians, he reported progress and momentum through work with provinces and territories.

The committee began with a procedural debate over speaking time allocation, resolved by granting Luc Thériault a second six-minute round. At the end of the meeting, members agreed that the minister would appear for two hours on October 9.