Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the leader of the official opposition for moving this motion for an emergency debate. As he knows, I did as well, and it is, I think, a very timely and important debate.
The hon. member speaks about a plan. One of the biggest deficiencies Canada is facing right now is that we do not have the ability to manufacture a single vaccine. The Liberal government failed to negotiate with a single one of the seven vaccine manufacturers the right for Canada to manufacture vaccines domestically.
As the Prime Minister himself has acknowledged, obviously a country that has the ability to manufacture will prioritize its own citizens. We are seeing that now with the EU and the United States prioritizing their citizens. Unfortunately, it was a Conservative government under Brian Mulroney that sold off Connaught Labs, which was a Crown corporation owned by the federal government.
My question for my hon. colleague is this: Does he agree that the federal government should establish a public drug manufacturer to ensure that Canada is never again caught without the capacity to manufacture critical vaccines and medicines for Canadians right here at home?