New Democrats call for urgent action on antibiotic resistance

Today, the New Democratic Party called for urgent action on antibiotic resistance, following a World Health Report earlier this week warning that the threat is becoming critical.

“We’ve known for some time now that antibiotic resistance is a growing problem,” said NDP Health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East). “Yet the Conservative government has been dragging its feet in response.”

Three years ago, the NDP was successful in calling for a review of antibiotics in Canada’s meat supply at the Parliamentary Health Committee. Last month, the government finally announced tighter restrictions, which will only be fully implemented in 2017. These changes address only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

“We need to see leadership from the Minister of Health on these serious health concerns,” said Davies. “Six years is too long to wait.”