Liberals stand still while third wave rages in Ontario

NDP health critic Don Davies made the following statement on the need to invoke the Emergencies Act in Ontario:

“The situation facing Ontario right now is unprecedented. Doctors, nurses and health care professionals are crying out for help as case numbers and hospitalizations soar. They are sounding the alarm about inadequate ICU capacity and the lack of life-saving equipment like ventilators.

It’s stunning that while doctors are having to decide who gets a ventilator and who doesn’t – the Prime Minister is playing games in the House and trying to shirk his responsibility to do everything necessary to keep Canadians safe. It is shocking that the Prime Minster would choose to mislead Canadians at such a serious time. Instead of being worried about his father’s legacy, he should be focussed on the lives at stake in Ontario today.

New Democrats are again calling on the federal government to use the Emergencies Act in Ontario. This is precisely the situation for which it was designed. It will allow the federal government to expand hospital capacity, get more vaccines to vulnerable populations and provide paid sick leave for workers who desperately need it.

Mr. Trudeau’s government has failed to get vaccines manufactured in Canada and now we’re waiting for other governments and multinational pharmaceutical companies to get us the doses we should have made here at home. Canadians are watching their loved ones get sick while they wait for their shot. Mr. Trudeau cannot stand by and blame the premiers for his government’s failure on the federal vaccine roll out while people are dying. He has to show federal leadership and take action using every tool at his disposal.

The health – and lives - of Canadians are at stake.”