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Green Party Slams Vaccine “Stockpiling”

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The federal Green Party is calling out the Liberals’ decision to use the COVAX vaccine-sharing program meant for poorer countries.

Canada has donated to the international program, but is also accepting almost 1.9-million doses from it.

Green Leader Annamie Paul says it isn’t the right thing to do.

“We know that for many poor countries, this is the only source of vaccines, the only supply of vaccines available to them. And despite this, Canada continues to insist that it will take its 1.9-million doses, that yes, we are entitled to, but of course we should not be taking,” she says.

Paul points out the World Health Organization says actions like Canada’s are compromising the COVAX vaccine supply for other nations.

She adds that will come back to hurt Canada, along with countries that rely on the sharing program.

If we do not bring the pandemic under control globally, then people in Canada will not be safe,” Paul claims.

In February, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended the decision by pointing out the country has the legal right to access COVAX.

Juile-Payette

Throne Speech: Pandemic Spending To Continue

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Not the time for austerity measures.

Just one of the quotes coming from the Throne Speech as Justin Trudeau and the minority Liberals lay out their plan for the 44th sitting of parliament.

The plan features four pillars: fighting the pandemic and saving lives, supporting people and businesses, building back better, and standing up for who we are as Canadians.

The speech also features pre-existing commitments, including national pharmacare, improving rural broadband access, and investing in public transit and energy efficient retrofits.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu says the speech “Is really about charting a new course given the reality of living with COVID and the first and top priority is to protect Canadians from COVID-19 no matter where they live in this country.”

The Throne Speech is traditionally short on details and simply provides a roadmap for the government’s plans for the current House of Commons session.

Notables who were missing from the speech and subsequent vote are Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves Francois Blanchet… they’re self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19.