Oct. 22, 2021 (Ottawa) – HealthCareCAN, the national voice of healthcare and health research institutions in Canada, stands united with Canada’s scientific community as it undertakes the difficult task of protecting Canadians against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. This is why we are deeply disturbed to learn of violent threats and intimidation tactics directed toward these hard-working and dedicated individuals, who do everything in their power to promote good health outcomes for Canadians.

Research conducted by Canada’s scientific community has resulted in countless life-saving discoveries and innovations. Anyone suffering from diabetes, heart disease, cancer and many other diseases and illnesses has a greater chance of surviving, in large part due to the phenomenal work of this devoted community.

In fact, it’s because of their decades of work on developing a safe delivery system for mRNA vaccines, on which some notable COVID-19 vaccines are built, that we are finally able to see the light at the end of this terrible, dark tunnel. We have so much to thank this community for. Threats directed at health researchers and scientist devoted to saving lives, often from individuals who have benefitted in some way from their efforts, is not only unacceptable, but also offensive.

Now is not the time for divisiveness, we must pull together so that we may all emerge stronger. Vaccination is a critical path to victory against the pandemic and we urge all unvaccinated Canadians to set side their own personal ideologies and get vaccinated against COVID as soon as possible, for the greater good.

Paul-Émile Cloutier,
President & CEO

HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare. 

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Media contact:
Alexandria Rowe
Communications and Member Services
ARowe@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 221 │ Cell:  613-220-1023