MP Heather McPherson, NDP Critic for Foreign Affairs and International Development, and MP Gord Johns, NDP Critic for Health, made the following statement:

“The growing Ebola outbreak is at risk of becoming one of the deadliest in history. Viruses do not know borders – and the entire world is at risk from epidemics like these.

Today’s announcement makes it clear that Canada’s Liberal government has not yet learned the lessons from the COVID pandemic.

While New Democrats note the $8 million funding announcement today from the Canadian government, this is a drop in the bucket – and it follows an outrageous $2.7 billion cut to Canada’s international assistance.

The Liberal government needs to do far better to protect Canadians and people around the world from epidemics like Ebola.

It is especially urgent that Canada act, given the Trump Administration’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the closure of USAID – two actions that are already having devastating consequences for global health.

And Canada must do far better on vaccines. Access to essential medicines is crucial.

We must not forget that a publicly-funded lab in Winnipeg developed an Ebola vaccine, only for the vaccine to languish on a shelf after a private pharmaceutical company based in the United States bought the patent and refused to distribute it.

New Democrats have long advocated for Canada to ensure publicly-funded vaccines made in Canada are affordable and accessible to all, especially in low- and middle-income countries. For years, global health advocates have asked Canada fix this problem – but the Liberals have refused to support the TRIPS waiver at the WTO and have voted against NDP efforts to ensure vaccines can reach those most in need in the Global South.

As epidemics become more dangerous and more likely to occur, Canada’s Liberals need to do better. Our collective health, and the health of millions around the world, is at stake.”