QUESTION PERIOD — Health
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
March 30, 2021
Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader. Senator Gold, it has now been a number of months that your government has been announcing the securing of millions and millions of vaccines on behalf of Canadians. Actually, it has been so many millions we’ve lost track, yet Canada still lags significantly behind all other G7 countries and many other nations. Actually, the list is too long to enumerate.
Given the various delivery dates and changes in timelines, including another one today that the Prime Minister announced, which sounds good in theory but, of course, we’ve seen this government over a number of months now continue to make announcements with benchmarks and timelines that seem to be used more for political expediency and a public relations show than concrete action, my question is the following: Can you please provide a definitive target — a clear and transparent date — of when Canadians can expect to be fully vaccinated?
It’s a very simple question: What date can this government provide to Canadians by which they can expect to be fully vaccinated? It’s a simple question; what date?
Indeed, it is a simple question, honourable colleague, but there is no simple answer. That is largely because Canada has multiple sources of vaccines, relying upon multiple supply chains, and it would be irresponsible, however attractive it might be to pose the question, the fact is the government remains committed to providing accurate and evidence-based information to Canadians about this. The Government of Canada is not yet in a position to give a definitive date.
The Prime Minister has indicated some months ago that all Canadians who want it should be able to get their first vaccine by September of this year. Since that statement it is clear the number of vaccines that have come into Canada are clearly ahead of schedule.
The Government of Canada will continue to work as it is, round the clock, to ensure that Canadians get access to the vaccines they need, and when the government is in a position to revise the target — when it is based upon clear evidence and not political opportunism — it will make that announcement.
Government leader, if this is ahead of schedule, boy oh boy, Canadians would love to see what the actual targets are, because every Canadian across the country is asking the very simple question: By what date will we be fully vaccinated?
But I have a two-part supplementary question. First, I find it a bit concerning that in response to one of my colleagues, about the fact that the government leader in the Senate found out about a government announcement today, where the Prime Minister and Pfizer announced that they’re changing the date and speeding up the date of expected delivery of vaccines into this country. I find it disturbing that the government leader in the Senate finds out about it in the newspapers.
I believe there is a customary tradition in this place, that a government leader who is a member of Privy Council is providing information on behalf of the government here, and not information they read from a newspaper article. Having said that, government leader, I don’t even know if it requires an answer but, as a parliamentarian, it’s concerning.
What we also see is that your government’s monumental failure has had and will continue to have a devastating impact on the health of Canadians, the mental well-being of Canadians and, of course, our economy.
Why has your government chosen to rely on subsidies and lockdowns rather than to expedite vaccines and give concrete dates of when Canadians can expect to turn the corner?
I’m sorry to disappoint you, but my answer is going to be very clear, that the Government of Canada has successfully provided and is successfully providing a diversity of vaccines to ensure that Canadians are vaccinated and have access to the vaccine as quickly as possible.
The Government of Canada is not responsible for lockdowns, that’s the provinces. Those decisions are being taken in the best interests of the health of their citizens.
I understand the function of Question Period, and I stand always prepared to do my best to answer your questions. The fact is the Government of Canada and all provincial and territorial governments are working seriously in the context of a terribly challenging, dynamic and ever-changing global pandemic to ensure the safety and health of Canadians, and Canadians should have confidence in their governments that they’re doing the very best they can do under these very difficult circumstances.
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Senator Gold, Blacklocks recently revealed that Health Canada has hired social media influencers and minor celebrities to tout the great work it’s doing on Canada’s response to the pandemic. The notice to contractors from Health Canada specifies that these influencers will be paid to build the department’s credibility, and in exchange for such payments, their posts will not tarnish Health Canada nor the Government of Canada’s reputation. These government-paid influencers are not required to reveal that they are government-paid influencers because that, of course, would be very embarrassing.
Senator Gold, Canadians can’t get clear, consistent answers from the federal government on the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine and you’re spending their tax dollars to spread disinformation about Health Canada’s response to the pandemic.
My question is this: Why not provide Canadians with clear guidance they can use on this very important decision regarding their personal health and AstraZeneca? Wouldn’t that improve Health Canada’s credibility?
The Government of Canada and the scientific committees that advise it and Health Canada are providing information to Canadians to the best of their ability and in real time.
Honourable senators, the time for Question Period is expired.
