SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Pandemic Observance Day

Honourable senators, March 11 is the National Day of Observance for COVID-19 in Canada. I would like to remind everyone of the importance of vigilance and preparedness. In the spirit of the well-known Scout motto, we must always be prepared.

Six years and one day ago today, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This event had a profound impact on our country and continues to have repercussions, since COVID-19 still remains a leading cause of death in Canada.

Thanks to the work of our former colleague, the Honourable Marie-Françoise Mégie, March 11 is now a day to pause, reflect and take stock of our preparedness. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts made, the lessons learned and the progress achieved since 2020.

We also remember the outpouring of solidarity that united communities, institutions and nations. The Canadian Armed Forces, who supported our long-term care facilities and helped deliver essential supplies, demonstrated the strength of our collective capacity to respond to crises.

Today, the significant resurgence in diseases such as measles and tuberculosis serves as a forceful reminder of the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates, combatting disinformation and continuing to value evidence and the expertise of our health care professionals.

It’s often said that knowledge is power and forewarned is forearmed. That is just as true for the next pandemic. Let’s hope that our governments will continue to invest in research, innovation and preparedness to ensure the well-being of the 42 million people living in Canada today and that of generations to come.

Thank you.