October 17, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario
Check Against Delivery
Good afternoon,
Thank you for joining us today. I am joined by Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Gregory Taylor, as well as Dr. Judith Bosse, Assistant Deputy Minister at the Public Health Agency of Canada, and a representative from the Red Cross.
As you know, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unprecedented in scale, and our Government has been at the forefront of the international response efforts since April.
Even though the Public Health Agency of Canada advises that the risk to us at home is low, Canada remains vigilant, and is playing a leading role in the global response.
To date, Canada has allocated over $35 million to improve treatment and prevention, build health capacity to save lives, and support basics such as nutrition.
We have also made available personnel and equipment to those on the front lines in Africa. This includes things such as:
- personal protective equipment for the World Health Organization;
- two mobile laboratories providing on-the-ground diagnostic support and infection‑prevention assistance; and
- 800-1000 doses of the Canadian vaccine.
These commitments are already translating into action: our mobile labs are on the ground in Sierra Leone, and our first deliveries of personal protective equipment have also been sent to help protect those working to control the outbreak in West Africa.
But, as the number of cases continues to rise, it is obvious that more needs to be done to combat and contain the disease, and to ensure that Canadians remain well protected here at home.
We also need to stand in solidarity with the people of West Africa and other countries.
And we need to ensure that all our global efforts are yielding results.
Through the new United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, we are seeing enhanced coordination of the world’s efforts.
This is an initiative that Canada fully supports.
Today I am announcing—on behalf of my colleague Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie—that Canada is responding to the direct request from Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations.
Canada will commit an additional $30 million to the United Nations for the United Nations Mission. This in addition to the $30 million that Minister Paradis announced just three weeks ago in New York.
This new funding will be committed toward the international effort on five fronts which include:
- stopping the outbreak;
- treatment for those affected;
- ensuring essential services;
- preserving stability; and
- preventing outbreaks in surrounding countries.
Let me reiterate that Canada has been at the forefront of this fight since April, and will continue to play a leadership role.
We will continue to explore how we can further respond along with the global community and here at home.
Canada has always been, and always will be, quick to assist where the need is greatest.
Canada will continue to do its part to support the people of West Africa during these extraordinarily challenging times.
Before I turn it over to Dr. Taylor, who will provide an update on what is happening here at home, I want to reassure Canadians that the Public Health Agency of Canada is working directly with the provinces and territories to ensure that Canada is prepared.
In Canada, we are extremely fortunate to have some of the best hospitals in the world. This includes having strong infection control systems in place to protect against the spread of disease.
That is why earlier this week I convened a conference call with all provincial and territorial Health Ministers. On this call, I asked provinces to look into doing test runs to ensure protocols are in place and proper personal protective gear is available.
I am pleased to see that several provinces, for example, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario have been increasing their training efforts this week
I am confident that all Health Ministers are committed to preparedness and protecting Canadians.
We stand ready to continue to support the provinces and territories with any guidance necessary in their front line work.
In fact, earlier this week I spoke with the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions and the Canadian Nurses Association, as well as the provincial and territorial Ministers.
It is important that all front line health care workers know they have our full support and I thank them for their dedication and commitment to protecting Canadians.
By working together to prepare here at home, and making a strong contribution to international efforts abroad, we will continue to do everything possible to fight this disease and protect Canadians.
Thank you.
