Issues surrounding COVID-19 have been a prime topic for Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Rosemarie Falk lately in the House of Commons.
The vaccine rollout, and in particular the COVID-19 issues facing seniors across Canada, were a major focus for Falk who was recently named seniors critic for the Conservative caucus.
During Question Period on Nov. 25, Falk particularly roasted the federal government for their plan for testing and vaccine deployment, prompting a response from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The exchange was recorded in Hansard.
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Mrs. Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster, CPC):ÌýMr. Speaker, COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising and long-term care is in crisisÌý. The time to wait for supports is over, yet long-term care continues to be left out of federal programs. Still, there is no adequate access to rapid testing, and now Canada is falling behind the pack in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Long-term care residents, their families and those who care for them are owed much better.
Where is the Liberal government's detailed plan on testing and vaccine deployment?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib):ÌýMr. Speaker, from the very beginning, we have worked hand-in-hand with the provinces to support them in their areas of jurisdiction. We sent over $25 billion to provinces to ensure a safe back to school for kids and to support the most vulnerable, including people in long-term care facilities.
We sent the Canadian Armed Forces and the Red Cross to support the provinces in their work to keep seniors safe in long-term care facilities. We will ensure, as we move forward on vaccine rollouts, that we are again working with the provinces to protect those who most need it in the delivery of vaccines.
Trudeau’s response prompted Conservative leader Erin O’Toole to join in.
Hon. Erin O’Toole (Leader of the Opposition, CPC):ÌýMr. Speaker, seniors have been the hardest-hit Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis. They have been isolated from their families for weeks at a time. They have waited months for rapid testing in their communities and in long-term care facilities. Now, they are going to be waiting months as other countries get vaccines before Canada.
How many more outbreaks will Canadian long-term care homes experience because the Prime Minister not get priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib):ÌýMr. Speaker, from the very beginning, we have been there to support our seniors and we will continue to do that.
ÌýWe have worked with the provinces to support them in their work in keeping seniors safe in long-term care facilities. We respect provincial jurisdiction, but we were also able to step up and provide extra supports so that provinces could do more to prevent outbreaks in long-term care homes, whether it was billions of dollars to protect the most vulnerable, whether it was supports with extra PPE, or whether it is moving forward to share best practices and moving towards national standards. We will continue to be there to protect our seniors, particularly around vaccines.
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On Nov. 30 during Question Period, Falk rose again about the vaccine response and the impact on senior citizens.
Mrs. Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster, CPC):ÌýMr. Speaker, we know that seniors have sacrificed a lot this year. Many have faced isolation from their loved ones and those living in long- term care have been particularly hit hard by COVID-19. They deserve certainty and clarity from their government, yet there is still no clear plan on testing or vaccines. While other countries have indicated that mass vaccine distribution will begin in the coming months, the Prime Minister is talking about September for Canadians.
Are seniors going to have to wait until September 2021 to see their grandchildren?
Hon. Patty Hajdu (Minister of Health, Lib.):ÌýMr. Speaker, now who is misrepresenting information to Canadians? It would be the member opposite because, in fact, she knows that that is not what the Prime Minister said. He said that, by September, 70% of Canadians will be vaccinated. He did not say that it will be until September. In fact, we know that we are very close. Canadians can be assured that when a vaccine is approved for safety here in Canada, we will be deploying it.
Canadians are well positioned to receive vaccines and we are thrilled with the ability to be able to provide them to Canadians.
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During member’s statements in the Commons on Dec. 1, Falk focused once more on the issue of vaccine deployment and the impact on seniors as she responded to the government’s fall economic statement.
Mrs. Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster, CPC):ÌýMr. Speaker, COVID-19 is taking a heavy toll on the mental health and the well-being of Canada's seniors. Temporary measures to protect our vulnerable populations have become less and less temporary. Seniors have been distanced from their loved ones and many have missed birthdays, holidays and family milestones. They want their lives back. Canadians want their lives back.
To accomplish that, we know that we need rapid and mass testing and we need safe and effective vaccines, yet yesterday's fall economic statement offered them no real plan for testing or vaccines. There was no clarity, there was no timeline and there was no plan for safe family reunification.
The Christmas holidays are just around the corner and seniors who are waiting to hold their grandbabies in their arms deserve better. They deserve certainty, clarity and competence from the government. They deserve a real plan.
