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In August, the Government of Canada unveiled the members of the covid-19 Vaccine Task Force, which will advise the government on how best to support vaccine research in Canada and help ensure Canadian leadership in vaccine development, related bio-manufacturing and international partnerships to secure access for Canadians to safe and effective products. Dr. Joanne Langley, professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University and Head of Infectious Diseases at the iwk Health Centre, has been named co-lead of the task force. Dr. Langley is Dalhousie
University’s cihrgsk Chair in Pediatric Vaccinology. It is the only chair of its kind in the country. “It was truly an honour to be asked to serve the national covid-19 response in this way,” says Dr. Langley. “Together, with an amazing team, we have been working since early June to find safe and effective vaccines to protect Canadians. To do that we have been prioritizing potential Canadian covid-19 vaccine projects, identifying non-Canadian vaccine candidates and working on solutions for domestic manufacturing.” Task Force members have reviewed vaccine and bio-manufacturing applications from domestic candidates for which it has provided advice to the Ministers of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Health on the most promising options aimed at
providing Canadians with safe, effective vaccines as soon as possible, as well as a robust manufacturing sector to increase our secure access to vaccine production.—Staff
Faculty of Agriculture represented on national council Two former students and one current student from the Faculty of Agriculture have been named to the first Canadian Agricultural Youth Council from more than 800 applicants across the country. “Including the voices of young people is essential as we build an even better Canada, now and for the future,” said the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth. “Members of the first ever Canadian Agricultural Youth Council will be able to share their ideas on how to bridge the generational gap and keep the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry strong for years to come.” The Canadian Agricultural Youth Council is a group of young Canadians Dr. Joanne Langley is advising government on how best to support vaccine research.
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providing advice, enabling ongoing dialogue on food-related challenges and opportunities, sharing information and best practices, and advising on the strengths and weaknesses of policies and programs affecting the agriculture and agri-food sectors. Along with the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council is one more way in which the Government of Canada will hear directly from young people about issues that matter to them. “Agriculture is our future, it’s that simple and it’s crucial that our young people are actively involved in shaping the future of this industry across Canada. Our graduates are well-prepared to take active roles as leaders as part of this group,” said Dean and Campus Principal David Gray.
Water agreement a first for First Nations in Canada A framework agreement that creates a path for the transfer of water and wastewater services for 15 First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada from Indigenous Services Canada (isc) to the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (afnwa) was signed in June, the
DANIEL ABRIEL
Dr. Joanne Langley to co-lead vaccine task force
