Finance committee  Certainly, I'd be happy to, Mr. Chair. The reality is that currently, or under this provision, the chief public health officer would be able to provide direct advice to the minister—at any time, under any circumstances, at her request or his request, or on his own volition—and to forward advice to the minister on any matter of public health.

Finance committee  Correct. The chief public health officer will also provide public health advice to his colleagues, whether they be the president of the agency under this proposal or another deputy minister elsewhere in government. Currently, for example, under the Ebola outbreak, the chief public health officer dispenses advice and information to the deputy minister of foreign affairs and a number of other portfolios because that advice is required in order for the government to act on the best information possible.

Finance committee  That is correct. The measure simply separates the authority for management and moves that over to the new president's function, whereas the CPHO will continue to have the same responsibilities and ability to advise directly the minister or Canadians on all matters related to public health.