Thank you, Mr. Thériault.
I'll start by saying in a slightly different way what you said. COVID‑19 won't end anywhere in the world if it doesn't end everywhere on the planet. We know why, and we knew it a few months ago. The Omicron variant is a reminder that other variants can emerge as long as everyone isn't sufficiently vaccinated.
The global response includes three parts: the international program for patents and international production; the vaccine direct delivery program; and the support program, as you said, for immunization in the field.
First, with respect to patents, there are discussions and a set of international measures.
Second, in Canada, we have more direct control over our participation in Operation COVAX. We're among the six largest contributors, largest donors, in terms of the number of doses from any country in the world. Canada has a total of 200 million doses, many of which are already being delivered or have already been delivered.
Lastly, we're one of the world's largest providers of administrative and logistical support. Canada has invested $2.5 billion around the world to help some countries receive vaccine doses. That's what we're doing through COVAX. We must also be able to help these countries administer the doses in situations that are often even more difficult than the circumstances in Canada. Some communities are remote. In these countries, the health care system is weaker and equipment may not be available. In addition, people must have confidence in the system for distributing and administering vaccine doses.