Debates of Dec. 3rd, 2020

Opposition Motion—Status Update on COVID-19 Vaccines

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Madam Speaker, I do understand that Canadians would like the certainty of knowing how many Canadians will be vaccinated and the exact date they will have access to the vaccine. However, it is not something we can predict at the moment, as our scientists are still reviewing vaccine candidates, a number of them. If several vaccines are approved at the same time, perhaps more Canadians will have access sooner. It is not possible for us to give a number or a date because we have so many different options on the table at the moment that are undergoing investigation.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Speaker, the briefing that was provided to MPs from officials indicated that priority for the vaccine would be given to individuals who are advanced in age, health care workers, first responders and indigenous people. Based on the numbers we know so far, which is to have 3 million vaccines available, this is not going to cover seniors, for example. It is not going to cover the number of people who need it.

From my perspective, in Vancouver East we have many vulnerable people, and front-line workers in service agencies are not part of this bracket. Should front-line workers also be included as a priority?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Madam Speaker, it is the role of the federal government to procure vaccines, and obviously the role of Health Canada, which is a federal agency, is to review them. However, it is my understanding that the provinces will play a very important role in deciding for whom and how the rollout will be done.

I appreciate the member's question and her comment with respect to front-line workers. I agree front-line workers are critically important and should certainly receive access to vaccines as soon as possible. However, I do not want to interfere with decisions of the provinces and territories at the local level.

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, listening to today's debate on our readiness to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations, the opposition would have us believe Canada is languishing right at the back of the line. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Conservatives have thrown out intentionally inaccurate timelines of vaccines not getting to Canadians by 2030. That is completely misleading to all Canadians.

Allow me to reiterate what this government has done and continues to do every day to ensure that Canada is in fact very well positioned when it comes to receiving the initial batch of approved COVID-19 vaccine doses. Many challenges need to be addressed in talking about the rollout of any COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines will only be offered to Canadians when they are proven safe, when they are proven effective and when they have received Health Canada regulatory approval.

Last week, Dr. Sharma, the chief medical advisor at Health Canada, confirmed for us that if the trial data proved accurate, they would be on track to approve the Pfizer vaccine around the middle of this month. That is the same timeline we are seeing in the United States as well as in Europe. The first deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to start in the first quarter of 2021.

The House heard my colleague quote the chairman of Moderna, saying that far from being at the back of the line, Canada was among the very first countries to pre-order that company's vaccine candidate. Alongside Pfizer, Moderna's vaccine candidate would receive regulatory approval very soon. We have continued to inform Canadians about the work we are doing to ensure a viable vaccine is made available to Canadians.

The Conservatives are trying to change the narrative to suit their own political agenda, but Canadians can rest assured that their rhetoric is just that and that we are doing what we need to do to protect them.

Since the start of the pandemic, this government has worked to ensure that when a vaccine is ready, Canada will be ready. From day one, this government's strategy has been to secure agreements with the developers of vaccine candidates so Canadians are well positioned as clinical trials advance.

We have been operating in a highly complex and intensely competitive global market for vaccine procurement, faced with a myriad of differing vaccine types, dosage requirements as well as manufacturing and finishing needs. Working day and night, this government has been dedicated to procuring the very best vaccine candidates for all Canadians.

These efforts have paid off. Canada has invested in one of the most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolios in the world. We have arrangements with seven potential vaccine suppliers. We have access to more vaccine doses per person than any other country in the world. That is not the story of a country lagging behind; it is a country looking after its interests of every citizen.

Our portfolio contains seven leading vaccine candidates: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline and Medicago. Already we are hearing very promising clinical trial results for several of these candidates. Canada has seven leading vaccine candidates in our portfolio, four of which are currently under regulatory review.

Far from standing at the back of some notional global queue, Canada is in line with in other countries in receiving the vaccine as early as the first quarter of the new year. To ensure that we are moving quickly, we are working in partnership with the United States and European Union so we can share our data and accelerate the vaccine approval process.

This is a team effort. Canada is a leading team member. That team mentality has been in evidence from the very early days of this global pandemic. This government has worked non-stop to procure vital PPE and other medical supplies for our front-line health care workers. More than two billion individual pieces of equipment have been secured, with more than half of that already delivered. Additionally, our government has delivered to the provinces and territories more than three million rapid test kits in the last few weeks.

As we continue to aggressively pursue our vaccine candidates, we know that logistics associated with vaccine distribution can be very complex. Contrary to what the Conservatives have been saying for many months, alongside our efforts to procure vaccines, we have been preparing for the administration and distribution of vaccines.

We are ensuring we have the supplies that will be needed in the manufacturing and packaging steps of vaccine production in Canada. Just one example of this preparedness is that during the summer, we procured three fill/finish vaccine systems from Vanrx in Burnaby, British Columbia. These systems are the last portion of a vaccine production line that allows vials to be filled and finished without human intervention, thus allowing a rapid roll out of vaccines while minimizing waste.

Allowing rapid roll out does not sound like a country at the back of the line. The Conservatives would have us believe we have not done anything to prepare for vaccine distribution. We know that could not be further from the truth. We are ensuring that when a vaccine is ready, we will have the materials needed to support safe and efficient immunization, such as syringes, needles and alcohol swabs.

We have already received enough deliveries of syringes and needles to administer nearly 25 million doses of vaccine and we have tens of millions more en route. We know vaccine distribution will be complex, especially in light of the need to transport and store vaccines at specific temperatures.

Canada is prepared. We already have the capacity to store up to 33.5 million ultra-frozen and frozen vaccines at any one time. We are ready to meet additional needs based on the Public Health Agency of Canada's requirement for more capacity.

We know making vaccines available will be a team Canada effort. That is why we continue to work with provinces and territories to ensure we are prepared to securely and efficiently deploy vaccines to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

We are ready for when the rigorous, efficient and not political but scientific Health Canada approval process is completed. The House and all Canadians can rest assured that we will not cease in our efforts to ensure that when a vaccine is ready, Canada will be ready.

Nobody in the House underestimates the pain, anguish and grief felt by Canadians, the terrible losses felt by our friends and families across the globe during these past distressing months. It has been many months and we are all living with pandemic fatigue.

This government is steadfast in its commitment to the health and safety of Canadians. I know I speak for members of the House when I say our top priority remains keeping Canadians safe and healthy. From procuring vaccines to PPE to testing, the government will continue to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to get Canadians through this crisis.

We are indebted to every single Canadian for doing everything possible to keep themselves, their families and their fellow Canadians safe. This government is working alongside all of Canada to equip the country with PPE, vaccine candidates, tests and treatments so together we can all get through this pandemic.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the member opposite's optimism. With the optimism and the language she has used, saying that the Liberals are in fact ready, would she then not agree it is time to share with Canadians their plan, so we can see exactly the work that she says has been done and so Canadians can trust that the government has a plan and their best interest in mind when the roll out of these vaccines does come?

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, the Conservatives want a plan, so here is the plan. To date, Canada has secured up to 429 million doses of seven COVID-19 vaccine candidates: AstraZeneca, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Medicago and Moderna. That is the most extensive and diverse vaccine portfolio of any country in this world. Health Canada is in line to approve the first vaccine candidate on the same schedule as U.S. and European authorities.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Speaker, the Liberal government has rightly pointed out that the Conservatives seriously eroded Canada's pharmaceutical capacity. Perhaps most starkly is when the Mulroney Conservative government privatized Connaught Labs, a publicly owned laboratory that helped produce vaccines and low-cost prescriptions for Canadians. That was in 1986. Since then, the Liberals have made no move to create a public drug manufacturer despite many years of being in government.

Does the member acknowledge that this is a huge problem and, in fact, if we have our own manufacturing capacity that is publicly owned by Canadians, then we would be able to produce the vaccines locally and ensure we get the supply first?

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, I know it is very important that Canadians have the vaccine when it is ready. I know that countries producing the vaccine might have it first, but Canada is ready for the vaccines as soon as they are available.

The Globe and Mail's André Picard is one of the most respected journalists covering health care in Canada. He said, “[The Leader of the Opposition]'s hindsight is 20/20. His demands that the federal government produce a precise timetable for vaccine distribution are equally fantastical.”

The government has secured access to more vaccines per capita than any other country in the world. We are ready. We have experts like Major General Dany Fortin to lead the national logistics effort. I have faith in the experts and in Canadians. Canadians will have the vaccine as soon as we have one that is safe for Canadians.

[Paul Manly, Green, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to follow up on the last question.

For 70 years, Canada was a world leader in vaccine production through Connaught Labs, through a public model of vaccine development and production. Knowing what we know now, do you think it is a good idea to go back to this public ownership model, which would do the research and manufacturing, and not just leaving it up to big pharmaceutical companies? Should we have a public lab in Canada again?

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

I would remind the member that he is to address his questions and comments through the Chair.

The hon. member for Scarborough Centre.

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, I know Canadians need assurance that the vaccine will be there when there is a safe one available. Canada is in line. Canada has one of the best portfolios in the world for vaccine candidates. We have agreements with seven leading candidates. I am sure Canadians will have the vaccine as soon as we have it available.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am honoured today to seek clarity on an issue important to so many Canadians, that of vaccine distribution. I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for Kenora.

I fully support the premise of this motion. A vaccine represents an opportunity to turn the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, and the successful deployment of a vaccine is essential to the health, safety and economic security of every Canadian.

The motion before the House today calls for the government to provide a simple status update by December 16 on four things, but it really gets down to three simple questions: when, how, and to whom will vaccines be distributed in Canada? I might be taking a slightly different approach to address these important questions during the debate from some of my colleagues, but there are three main points I want to get across: first, some thanks; second, the importance of, and factors involved in, crisis management and planning; and finally, the importance of clear, transparent communications.

First, I would like to thank the constituents of Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound for putting me in this position to represent them in these hallowed halls, and to represent all Canadians, especially in a time of crisis.

As well, I would like to thank the government for selecting Major-General Dany Fortin to be vice-president of logistics and operations at PHAC, and for requesting 27 additional Canadian Armed Forces members for secondment to PHAC. I had the honour of serving with General Fortin, including during my last few months in uniform in Baghdad, Iraq. He is a phenomenal leader and a great communicator, and possesses all the necessary skills and experience to succeed in this important position.

I acknowledge that today in a press conference, interestingly enough on the same day as we debate this motion asking for more details on vaccine distribution, we heard that approximately three million Canadians should be vaccinated by the end of March, and that suitable cold storage for the 14 distribution points nationwide should be in place by December 14, 2020. This is good news and should make it much easier for the Liberal MPs and the government to vote in favour of this motion.

Next, I want to focus on what I believe are some important factors and considerations required in crisis planning and management. From 2014-16, I served as the deputy director of planning for all Canadian Forces operations within the Canadian Joint Operations Command. If I were still in that role, I am sure I would be pretty busy today.

What are some of the most important elements in crisis management? Leadership, speed of response, a robust plan, adequate resources, a caring and compassionate response, and an excellent communication plan. If we look at the government's vaccine response to date, I think many Canadians would agree that the government has been lacking in many of these areas.

Leadership and speed of response are all about making quick and effective decisions while managing the time that is available. However, the government has been slow to close the borders, slow to procure PPE and slow to order these vaccines. Now, despite the latest announcement, the majority of Canadians still do not know when they can expect vaccines.

I acknowledge the government's decision to sign procurement deals with multiple vaccine companies. This was prudent. However, prior to today, it was not clear whether Canada had the necessary storage capacity or means of distribution for these vaccines. I am glad to see that we have some additional clarity today.

On November 27, the CDS planning directive for the Canadian Armed Forces in support of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout was released. It is an excellent planning directive, which I think all Canadians expect from the military, but it raises some very concerning questions.

First, why is there no reference to recent strategic political guidance or direction? Without political guidance and direction, the Canadian Armed Forces are required to make planning assumptions. Some of these assumptions within that directive include, first, that the initial shipment will not be on the ground until the first quarter of 2021, and that it will only be enough for a small percentage of the Canadian population. Next, national-level decisions need to be made by PHAC, and those decisions are expected no later than early December, including the need for PHAC to procure the services of a logistics service provider that will be uniquely experienced with the handling of vaccinations.

When are these decisions going to be made? Who is this logistics service provider that PHAC has to tender and get out there, or is PHAC going to sole-source that contract as well?

As well, it is important to note the assumptions are over two pages long. What is fascinating about that to me, as a military planner, is that if there are two pages of assumptions, that means there is not clarity and clear direction coming from our government.

The question is, why are we so late in the procurement process? Why are there are so many assumptions and a lack of government direction? When will the Canadian military and Canadians receive answers to these questions? Regardless, I am extremely confident in the ability of the Canadian Armed Forces to react accordingly, and they will rise to the occasion in support of all Canadians.

Let us talk about communications. The importance of clear, consistent and timely communications is vital during a crisis. The reason this motion has been introduced, and is being debated today, is because there has been no clear, open, transparent communication on when, how and who will receive vaccines. This lack of detail is creating angst and stress among Canadians across the country. Small businesses, families, seniors and long-term care homes are just looking for clear, consistent answers to these simple questions of when, how and who.

The government has a record, throughout this pandemic, of being consistent in making lots of program announcements but with vague details on when and how Canadians can apply. If we look at the CEBA loan, for example, multiple announcements were made, but it was weeks and months later before Canadians could actually apply for it.

Let us look specifically at the pandemic. I will go back to August, when the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry said that the vaccine rollout would be starting in the fall. An August PMO news release stated it would be in November 2020. Then we got into September, with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement saying early 2021. The Prime Minister, on October 23, said “sometime in the new year”. This goes on and on until even a couple of days ago, when we had the Deputy Prime Minister saying before summer and the Prime Minister saying in the coming months. Today, in the PHAC press release, General Fortin was talking about three million Canadians within the first three months of 2021. Finally, there is some level of detail.

This lack of detail and consistency is increasing stress and impacting the mental health of thousands of Canadians. At a time of increased fear, anxiety and uncertainty, the government should be making clarity and transparency the priority. Canadians have endured enough. We need to get this country working again. We need this country healthy again.

The impact that this is having on mental health alone is astounding. A July 2020 policy advice paper by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health cited a recent poll that found that 50% of Canadians reported worsening mental health since the pandemic began, with many feeling worried and anxious. One in 10 Canadians polled said that their mental health had worsened a lot as a result of COVID-19. In the same policy paper, substance use was also shown to be on the rise because of COVID-19. A recent poll found that 25% of Canadians aged 35 to 54, and 21% of those aged 18 to 34, had increased their alcohol consumption since social distancing and self-isolation measures due to COVID-19 began. Further, a recent Centre for Addiction and Mental Health study found that women, people who had lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, those who were worried about their personal finances, people with children at home and young people were more likely than others to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression at this time. This data is extremely concerning. It is important that we see all the health impacts that COVID-19 is having on individuals, children, families, businesses and schools, as well as the impact it is having on the economy.

Our motion is simple. It is asking the government to plan and provide clarity on when, how and to whom vaccines will be rolled out to Canadians. I have highlighted so far in this speech that, in crisis management and during pandemics, it is all about leadership, information and sharing that information, which gives truth to power, and providing clear, open, transparent communications. This government must do better on all these fronts for all Canadians. Canadians deserve these answers, and we deserve them now.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his intervention today, and I am glad to see that he is so keen on a vaccine. Unfortunately, I cannot say that this is the case for all members of his caucus. In particular, my neighbour in Hastings—Lennox and Addington is currently the sponsor of a petition that questions vaccines. As a matter of fact, it goes on to call vaccines “human experimentation”.

I wonder why the Leader of the Opposition, when he was questioned by the media today, refused to denounce the petition or even comment on the fact that the member for Hastings—Lennox and Addington was sponsoring this petition. He refused to even engage with media on it. I cannot help but wonder if it has something to do with the fact that he is relying on the tens of thousands of potential voters who also are against vaccinations in this manner.

I wonder if the member could comment on that petition. Does he denounce that petition? Does he encourage all Canadians to be vaccinated when Health Canada approves this vaccine?

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madam Speaker, that is an interesting question. Obviously, we live in a free society, so it is up to individual Canadians to decide whether they want to be vaccinated or not.

The last time I checked, we were here today to debate the motion that is in front of the House. If the member opposite has a question on whatever this petition is, I suggest he talk to the member who authorized the petition, not me.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Madam Speaker, first and foremost I want to thank my friend and colleague from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound for his incredible service to this country over the years. He brings particular knowledge of how we are going to deal with the logistics and organization of the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine across the country.

I would like to ask him this. Could he explain in further detail how the lack of information flow from the Liberal government to the Canadian Armed Forces could hamstring the actual rollout of the vaccine?

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madam Speaker, one of the rules in military planning is a one-third, two-thirds rule: we take one third of the time to do our level of planning and give two thirds to our subordinate organizations. We have a government that has taken arguably 11 months to give direction to the Canadian military to help with this rollout or its procurement. If it is following the one-third, two-thirds rule, is it going to be another 18 months before this plan gets put into place?

My point is this. It is all about time. In my speech I talked about the importance of a timely response, especially in a crisis. It is all about flattening the chain of command, getting information out to all levels of organizations, across all government departments, in order to best support Canadians across this great country.

[Louise Charbonneau, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for that excellent speech. I know he is very familiar with the workings of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Does he think it would be prudent to avoid raising people's expectations given that Health Canada has not yet approved the vaccine and that it might be irresponsible to give a precise date at this time?

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question, and I will try to answer in French.

As I said, in a crisis, it is very important to give all Canadians lots of information.

Therefore, I personally think we need to get the information out there. If the government does not want to create false hope and disinformation, it needs to get the information out there as quickly and consistently as possible and stay on message. Unfortunately, it has not done that.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to join the debate today in honour of our opposition day motion.

The Conservative Party is asking the government to put forward something and accomplish something that it has been avoiding since this pandemic began, and that is to show Canadians a plan. We are asking the Liberal government to table, by December 16, an update on how each type of vaccine will be safely delivered, stored and distributed to Canadians; when each vaccine type will be deployed in Canada; what rate of vaccination we can expect for each month; how different segments of the population will be prioritized for vaccines; and how vaccines will be distributed to indigenous communities, armed forces members and veterans.

There is absolutely no reason why the government should not be able to provide this information to Canadians within two weeks. Frankly, I believe the fact that they are not able to provide this information today is incredibly worrisome.

The Liberals know, and all of us in this House know, that Canadians have been waiting with bated breath for a vaccine. They have been reviewing the news and looking for updates on the development of one. They have been speculating on what they might do once they receive a vaccine. The government is well aware, of course, that this is key to defeating the virus, keeping Canadians safe and keeping our economy going.

In fact, this past spring, the Prime Minister himself said, “Normality as it was before will not come back full-on until we get a vaccine”. I believe the Prime Minister said this in April, yet all this time has passed and the government has done very little, if anything, to procure a vaccine, plan for its distribution and ensure that every Canadian who wants one will be able to get one.

The Liberal government has been caught completely unprepared and it is truly showing. Canada has ended up behind the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Mexico, Brazil, India and Indonesia for vaccine procurement. There are over 2.7 billion people in line before Canadians.

What is really troubling is that the Liberals not only do not have a plan to procure vaccines, but they also seem to have no plan on what they will do once we finally do receive them. They have no plan for distributing vaccines to Canadians, and they have no plan for prioritizing who will be able to have access to vaccines first. In fact, in response to a vaccine procurement plan, the Minister of Natural Resources tweeted out a graphic stating this supposed plan. It said, “Every Canadian will have access to an effective and free vaccine once ready.”

That really is not a plan. It, frankly, was not that good of a graphic either, if I do say so myself, but those are the non-answers that Canadians are incredibly frustrated with. As people in the United States and the United Kingdom will begin receiving vaccines as early as next week, the Liberal government is talking about having vaccinations available to most Canadians by September.

As I said, our neighbours to the south and many around the world will be getting their lives back. They will be seeing families again. They will potentially be reopening some of their businesses and returning safely to their jobs. They could be having weddings, graduations, and holiday celebrations. However, in Canada, we will be missing many of those moments, and we will be missing time with our families and our loved ones.

At this pace, Canadians will still be postponing events well into the summer. They will be having to do head counts at weddings and funerals to ensure there are not too many people present.

The emotional toll of this pandemic is also impacting mental health, as those struggling with mental health issues and addictions will continue to be isolated from many of their support systems. Further, remote first nation communities, like many in my riding, will likely have to keep their borders closed to stop the spread. Many Canadians with loved ones living abroad, or even in other provinces, will remain separated.

Seniors will be expected to content themselves with virtual get-togethers at a time when they could use support from friends and family more than ever. Parents may worry every time they send their kids to school, and students, who are unable to attend in-person classes and who lack reliable Internet, may fall behind or fall through the cracks. Businesses will continue to lose revenue, lay off employees and may potentially close their doors permanently. More workers will lose their jobs, and more families will struggle.

Students and young people will see their careers put on hold, as they graduate into a job market that is one of the worst in history. Tourism operators across the Kenora riding, northern Ontario and Canada will potentially lose yet another season. Many of the airlines that service remote northern communities will not be able to provide that critical service.

Canadians are rightfully concerned. They are rightfully frustrated and disappointed with the Liberal government. Citizens have complied with public health guidelines and regulations, and they have really done their part to combat the virus, but people want their lives back, and they want a plan with some hope from the government on how we can get back to that place.

I do not understand how the Liberals can expect us to be content with the knowledge that we may have an opportunity for a vaccination in 10 months' time. Unfortunately, this is not coming as a surprise to me, many members on our side of the House and many Canadians. After all, the Liberals have bungled this pandemic response since day one.

We know they dropped the ball with rapid testing, where an effective rollout could have avoided some of the pain that Canadians have faced over the last few months. Canadians could have potentially been safely visiting with loved ones. Businesses could have stayed open or reopened, and students could have been feeling safe back at school. The Liberals also dragged their feet on closing the border until it was too late.

In September, the health minister claimed that she had been “fully briefed” on the risk of COVID-19 by December of last year, yet her government sat by and did nothing for months. If the Liberals had implemented travel restrictions or recommended mask wearing when the minister and the government first knew about the severity of this pandemic, lives could have been saved. We could have avoided the economic shutdown that has devastated businesses and families across the country.

Instead, we got nothing but mixed signals and lectures from the government. As I have said, the Liberal government was clearly unprepared for COVID-19, and after all this time, it is clear that it has not learned from its mistakes, because we are still to see an all-important plan.

Canadians should be looking ahead to a recovery right now, but instead we are facing increased restrictions. Many businesses that have invested thousands of dollars in health and safety upgrades to help reduce the risk of transmission and keep everyone safe are not even sure if they will be allowed to operate come the spring time, or if it will be financially possible for them to do so.

The government's approach to this crisis can truly be summed up in a quote from the finance minister in the House. In the chamber a few weeks ago, I stood up and asked the finance minister when we could expect to see a budget and a plan from the government. Her response was that we needed to have patience, but I believe patience is a very privileged position to hold during this crisis.

It is easy for politicians to be patient when our livelihoods have not been impacted, but small business owners watching their lives' work slip between their fingers cannot afford to be patient any longer. Workers who have lost their jobs cannot afford to be patient. Vulnerable Canadians who are afraid to leave their homes cannot afford to be patient.

Canadians have been patient for nearly 10 months. It is time for the government to be transparent, be accountable and bring forward a real plan to guide our country through the next phase of this health and economic crisis. Today's motion would give the government an opportunity to do just that, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the House to support this important proposal.

[Bob Bratina, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am a little puzzled, because the sense I got from the member's presentation was that Canada is suffering badly. Everyone is suffering from COVID, but in terms of per capita mortality and many measures, we are way down the list of countries, so we must be doing something right, as much as it is difficult to handle all of the complex issues that we are struggling with right now.

What would my friend have to say about the fact that, compared to most other countries, Canada seems to be doing very well?

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Speaker, I would have to respectfully say to my colleague that when we talk to Canadians whose lives have been impacted by this, who have lost family members to COVID-19 or who perhaps have lost their jobs or lost their businesses, I do not think any measures from the government really give them a sense of hope or a feeling that things are going all right.

People's livelihoods have been impacted. They have been stressed about the pandemic. They have been facing an incredibly difficult time. That the government clearly has not been able to bring forward a plan when many other countries already have shows how unprepared the government has been and continues to be. That is why we are bringing forward this motion today, and I encourage that member, everyone on that side of the House, and everyone in this House to support our motion.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Speaker, early on in the pandemic, in phase one, it was obvious that we ran into problems because we were not able to produce personal protective equipment. It was a glaring issue with respect to Canada's lack of capacity. Now we are into the vaccine stage, and it has once again shown up as a major issue that we are not able to produce our own vaccines.

In fact, it was the Conservative government that privatized Connaught Labs, which caused this problem and which has exacerbated this problem. Of course, the Liberals did not fix it in all the years that they have been in government.

Given what we have learned today, would the member support the NDP's call to have a public Crown corporation that would make vaccines and critical drugs for Canadians?

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am somewhat disheartened when I hear from other members in this House who like to spend time criticizing past governments. It really does not matter whether they were Conservative or Liberal. I know that when I talk to constituents in my riding, they do not really care what past governments have done. What they care about right now is what the current government is doing, what current MPs are doing and how we are fighting for them.

That is where my focus is, and I think I speak for everyone in my party when I say that is where our focus is, moving forward. That is why we are bringing forward this important motion, to ensure that the government brings forward a plan, is transparent about that plan, and is moving forward to help combat this virus to keep Canadians safe, get Canadians back to work and keep our economy going.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Madam Speaker, I tried to ask the previous speaker a question, and I am going to try to get an answer from this member because the previous one would not answer.

The member for Hastings—Lennox and Addington is a sponsor of a petition that refers to the vaccine as a human experimentation. Can this member comment on whether he thinks the vaccine rollout is a human experimentation?

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Speaker, I do not, and I do not support the premise of that petition.