Based on public statements, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that Canada is working to improve global access to COVID-19 vaccines.
This quote comes from an opinion piece in the Washington Post on July 15, 2020; the lead author, none other than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:
“…we must urgently ensure that vaccines will be distributed according to a set of transparent, equitable and scientifically sound principles. Where you live should not determine whether you live, and global solidarity is central to saving lives and protecting the economy.”
The person being quoted here in early May of this year is Mary Ng, the International Trade Minister in Trudeau’s cabinet:
“The work we have been doing and the leadership we have been providing is very much about removing all barriers to vaccine access, whether it be production or supply chain or export restrictions…We’re trying to remove all barriers to access to vaccines.”
But despite what Trudeau and Ng said, Canada is not doing all that it can to improve access. Far from it.
