OTTAWA – The Green Party has been dismayed to learn that people in Canada may have to wait to receive vaccinations due to a lack of domestic manufacturing capacity.
“We must be better prepared next time,” said Green Party Leader Annamie Paul. “With that in mind, parliament should be regularly updated on the rebuild of our domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, as well as facility construction in Montreal and Saskatchewan.
“In the immediate term, we must deal with the national emergency at hand. There are not 13 separate pandemics, but one. It is obvious to every Canadian now that the lack of an Intergovernmental COVID-19 task force means we risk having no coordinated national vaccine distribution plan.
“I echo Grand Chief Bellegarde in reminding the government that our vaccine distribution strategy must not only be timely but must also prioritize those most at risk – including frontline workers, seniors and Indigenous communities. I would note that the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has already recommended seniors over the age of 70 be first in line, followed by health-care professionals and essential workers.
“It is vital that the Prime Minister and the federal government bring clarity to this issue so that there is certainty and fairness in vaccine distribution."
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