THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 29, 2026
(36)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:18 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, Moncion, Moodie, Osler, Petitclerc and Senior (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Kingston (1).
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 continued 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:
Health Canada:
Elizabeth Toller, Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Health Policy Branch;
Brett Taylor, Senior Policy Analyst, Health Care Strategies, Health Policy Branch.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-5.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
The chair asked whether the preamble shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Greenwood moved that Bill S-5 be amended in the preamble,
(a) on page 1,
(i) by replacing line 29 with the following:
“Whereas Parliament wishes to promote coopera-”,
(ii) by replacing line 31 with the following:
“territorial governments, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and key”;
(b) on page 2, by adding the following before line 1:
“And whereas Parliament affirms that the collection, use, disclosure and governance of data under this Act as that data relates to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples must be done in a manner that respects and advances Indigenous data sovereignty;”.
Elizabeth Toller and Brett Taylor were invited to the table and answered questions.
At 4:36 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:09 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).
It was agreed that staff be allowed to remain in the room for the in camera portion of today’s meeting.
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, and that the audio recording and/or transcript be destroyed by the clerk of the committee when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
At 5:23 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:24 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Greenwood.
After debate and with leave, the amendment was withdrawn.
At 5:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ferda Simpson
Clerk of the Committee