Thank you, Madam Chair.
Welcome back.
In the past I've raised the issue of Vancouver Coastal Health's plan to address the 2010 Vancouver Olympics in terms of preparedness for H1N1. We have, plus or minus, half a million people coming to Vancouver. They'll be descending on our city through airports, largely, and crowds and gatherings will be the norm.
When I last spoke with the health authorities, there were no additional resources from the federal government to help them carry out their plan. I'm advised that it's a good plan, a comprehensive one, but there has been no help with resourcing. That's unprecedented in a mass vaccination program coordinated from the federal government.
Given that we have 79 days left until the 2010 winter games begin, has that changed? Are resources now being provided to help implement the plan? As well, what specifically has the federal government done to address the public health challenges posed by the 2010 winter games?
Really what I want to know is this: what assurance can the chief public health officer give to Canadians that Vancouver is on track to host the world in a safe, secure environment that's not at risk of being a ground zero for a resurgent H1N1 pandemic?
Thank you.