MLA calls on Minister to ‘Fight Harder’ to Procure more Covid-19 Vaccines

MLA calls on Minister to ‘Fight Harder’ to Procure more Covid-19 Vaccines

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

A local MLA is calling on the federal government to work harder to procure more Covid-19 vaccines for Canadians.

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, fired off a letter to Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, on February 12.

In the letter, Armstrong-Homeniuk stated, “Many of my constituents are worried about the lack of vaccines being distributed to not only our constituency, but to Alberta as a whole. While I understand that there is a current shortage of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, it is undeniable that Canada is falling short of other nations when it comes to vaccinations.

As of Feb. 11, 2021, Canada was 38th in the world in COVID-19 vaccinations per 100 people. The provinces have proven they have the ability to administer vaccines in a timely manner, but we need the federal government to do more to procure and deliver us doses.

I am calling on you to fight harder for Canadians to be able to receive their much-needed vaccines.

With mass vaccinations, we will see our economy get back on track, which will facilitate the removal of restrictions on workplaces, allowing businesses to create revenue and jobs. This confidence will also repair the damage to mental health caused by unemployment and limited social contact.

For the greater good of Alberta and Canada, I ask that you to act now and fight for Canadians to get more vaccines doses. Canadians are and always have been leaders. There is no excuse for how poorly their federal government is performing on the vaccine file”

Armstrong-Homeniuk told the Vegreville News Advertiser said the federal government had the means of procuring much more vaccine than what they did and had failed Canadians in this regard.

She went on to say, “I am concerned for my constituents, especially the vulnerable, which is why I reached out to the Minister to ask her and her governmentto work harder to obtain the vaccine.”

Earlier this week Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced that his government had reached a preliminary agreement to purchase the vaccine which is currently under development by the Calgary based biotechnology company Providence Therapeutics.

Armstrong-Homeniuk was asked if the Alberta Government reached an agreement with the same company; and if not, then why not? She did not directly address the question, but said, “There are private companies here in Alberta that are working on a vaccine, which does take time to develop, and then all vaccines must be approved by Health Canada, which can be a lengthy process. Preliminary agreements can be entered on with these companies, but, until Health Canada gives their approval of the vaccine, nothing will proceed forward.”