Thank you for the question.
You're correct in saying there could be a connection between population movements and the spread of resistant bacteria. When discussing this subject, we want to avoid stigmatizing populations or minimizing complications associated with population movements. These are often vulnerable populations with good reasons for coming here.
That said, there are already protocols in place, certainly in Quebec, and across Canada. For example, when people are hospitalized, a sample is taken to see if they carry resistant bacteria in order to reduce the spread.
Above all, my comments were intended to counterbalance those expressed by Professor Wright, for example, whom I salute. He's an eminent researcher, and we greatly appreciate his contributions.
The development of antibiotics seeks to address a problem. What I was also trying to express in my comments is that prevention is possible. The best way to prevent the increase in antibiotic resistance is to first recognize the factors that contribute to it and, second, to intervene.
For example, a few years ago, I took part in a project funded by the Grand Challenges Canada organization. We implemented a telemicrobiology program to support labs in northern Syria, in armed conflict zones. That allowed individuals who received virtual training to detect resistant bacteria and subsequently treat people.
The problem in all these conflict zones and regions where people earn low and precarious incomes is that diagnostic capabilities are extremely limited. We want, then, to increase surveillance among populations most affected by conflicts, such as those living in conflict zones, and among populations that wind up in other countries due to immigration and seeking asylum.