QUESTION PERIOD — Health
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
May 27, 2021
Government leader, you will be pleased that I am going to return to the topic of vaccines. I think I heard Minister LeBlanc say that you would answer our questions today. I’m sure I heard that.
I heard it too.
Leader, the number of Moderna deliveries for June, which Minister Anand announced earlier today, is less than had been expected. The Johnson & Johnson doses which Health Canada pulled from distribution remain in a safety check almost one month later. We’ve been told the review could take several more weeks, leader. The government has also not provided details on the AstraZeneca delivery for the month of June.
Only 4.5% of Canadians are fully vaccinated. According to the Trudeau government, it will be months before Canadians can receive their second dose.
Leader, you talked the other day about the so-called success of your diverse portfolio of vaccines. If you only have reliable deliveries from one vaccine manufacturer, first of all, how is that diverse? Second, how is 4.5% fully vaccinated a success?
I am pleased to answer your question. I will do my best. With regard to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is under review, surely all senators and all Canadians are glad that we have a robust system in place to make sure the vaccines that do come to our country are reviewed for their safety. This government makes no apologies for the fact that it’s taking its time to make sure that the supply of vaccines is safe for Canadians.
The Minister of Public Services and Procurement and this government, indeed, on numerous occasions, have indicated that there have been, are and will be bumps along the road — especially with regard to Moderna, which is experiencing issues with supply chains, but remains of the view that we will end this quarter with the appropriate number from that source.
The government continues to be of the view that its decision to seek numerous sources of vaccines from numerous countries was the right approach. The fact that, in my province for example, two thirds of eligible citizens have already received their first dose and more are coming — I would further add, honourable senators, that the fact that many provinces have, as a result of the ongoing progress of our vaccination efforts across the country, seen fit to relax the constraints they imposed on citizens is further testimony to the fact that we’re making good progress in that regard.
You, of course, didn’t touch the second half of my question.
According to federal government statistics, almost 2,600 people were infected with COVID-19 on Wednesday, and another 38 of our fellow Canadians died. Meanwhile, over half of our American neighbours are fully vaccinated. It’s more than a little difficult to hear the government try to congratulate itself over and over again on the vaccine rollout when so many are still getting sick, families are still losing their loved ones and the need for vaccines remains great.
Leader, yesterday Senator Ataullahjan asked you about helping people in Windsor, Ontario, to get surplus vaccines from Detroit. On Tuesday, I asked you about helping Manitobans get surplus vaccines from North Dakota and Minnesota. Premier Pallister said there was an immediate need to get those vaccines into our province. That was almost a week ago.
Leader, you said on Tuesday that you’d make inquiries and you would let us know if the Prime Minister would call President Biden. What have you found out, leader?
Thank you for that question, but let me make a number of points.
When I answer your questions, honourable colleague, I’m not congratulating the government. I’m responding to a persistent pattern of questions, all of which appear to be placing the situation that Canada is in, and has been in with regard to vaccines, in the worst possible light. The fact remains, the record will show, in fact, that my answers have been accurate in terms of the progress that we’ve been making.
Every life lost to COVID, indeed, to anything, is one too many. My answer remains that I do not know the status of the conversations of the Prime Minister or the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and their counterparts. They’re in constant contact with their American counterparts to ensure that Canadians get access to vaccines, and they remain focused on continuing the work we’re doing to continue to bring vaccines to this country for the benefit of Canadians.
