THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 15, 2026
(32)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:14 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Rosemary Moodie, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Boudreau, Burey, Cuzner, Greenwood, Hay, McPhedran, Moodie, Osler, Petitclerc and Senior (11).
Participating in the meeting: Diana Ambrozas and Mayra Perez-Leclerc, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-5, An Act respecting the interoperability of health information technology and to prohibit data blocking by health information technology vendors.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Medical Association:
Dr. Margot Burnell, President.
Canadian Nurses Association:
Dr. Tracie Risling RN, President-Elect.
Canadian Association of Social Workers:
Sarah Pennisi, Senior Advisor, Policy and Public Affairs (by videoconference).
Canadian Bar Association:
Tory Hibbitt, Member, National Health Law Section.
Women's Health Coalition of Canada:
Danika Kelly, Vice-Chair, Canada West.
Society of Rural Physicians of Canada:
Dr. Sarah Giles, President-Elect (by videoconference).
Black Physicians' Association of Ontario:
Dr. Joel Brown, Vice-President and Family Physician (by videoconference).
Canadian Association of Retired Persons:
Anthony Quinn, President (by videoconference).
Margot Burnell, Tracie Risling, Sarah Pennisi and Tory Habbitt each made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:13 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:22 p.m., the committee resumed.
Danika Kelly, Sarah Giles, Joel Brown and Anthony Quinn each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:17 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ferda Simpson
Clerk of the Committee