Nov. 8, 2021 (Ottawa) — “For more than 50 years, vaccines have helped prevent and control the spread of deadly diseases and have saved the lives of millions of people. That is why regulating the safety, efficacy and quality of vaccines is of particular importance.” — Health Canada
HealthCareCAN, whose member institutions provide healthcare and conduct health research throughout Canada, finds it unfortunate that provincial governments are reluctant to send a clear public health message by mandating vaccination of all healthcare workers against COVID-19, especially after the tragic events of this pandemic that shook the country.
This is a double-edged sword issue: mandatory vaccination versus loss of healthcare providers. Ontario and Quebec have changed their position out of fear that the system does not have enough personnel to replace unvaccinated healthcare workers. This is a direct result of the failure of governments of all levels to properly resource Canada’s healthcare system.
If a healthy society is non-negotiable, so should be the vaccination of the population in the wake of a pandemic with 1,722,570 cases of infection and 29,095 deaths in the country since its onset
Laws already exist in various provinces requiring vaccination or proof of immunity for many diseases, including measles, rubella, chickenpox and tuberculosis. COVID-19 should be no exception.
HealthCareCAN urges provincial governments to mandate vaccination to protect not only the health workforce that keeps Canada’s healthcare system functioning, but indeed all Canadians. Beating COVID requires us all to do our parts.
As discussions about easing of public health restrictions to battle the pandemic are ramping up, and Canadians are understandably weary after 20 months of battling COVID, the fight is far from over. Vaccination remains our best chance to truly end this pandemic and it is vital that we all do our part.
Spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh said it well: “The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.”
We urge all healthcare workers to seize this moment and get vaccinated.
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.
– 30 –
Media contact: Alexandria Rowe, Communications and Member Services
ARowe@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 221 │ Cell: 613-220-1023
Related:
HealthCareCAN statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 21, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the cultures, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across the country. It’s also a time to reflect on the lasting impacts of colonialism and systemic racism, and the urgent need to address the health inequities Indigenous communities
HealthCareCAN welcomes Michelle McLean as new President and Chief Executive Officer
February 5, 2025 (Ottawa) –– The HealthCareCAN Board of Directors is very pleased to announce that Michelle McLean has been appointed as the organization’s new President & CEO, effective March 3, 2025. “Michelle brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the role of HealthCareCAN President and CEO and we are ecstatic that she will
HealthCareCAN Response to 2024 Federal Fall Economic Statement
December 17, 2024 – In addition to the serious uncertainty generated by the unprecedented political events that accompanied the Dec. 16 release of the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement, HealthCareCAN is concerned that serious action to advance health research in Canada is being delayed once more. While the federal government will need to respond quickly
Canada’s leadership in health research and innovation: action must begin urgently
Oct. 17, 2024 (Ottawa) – HealthCareCAN is pleased to see many of the recommendations it has advanced based on member input reflected in the Canada Research Coordinating Committee’s What We Heard report on modernizing the federal research support and the creation of the new capstone organization, and is keen to see the report now drive
Time to get it right: A new national vision for health research in Canada
Oct. 2, 2024 (Ottawa) – Based on ideas from its Vice Presidents of Health Research and Emerging Health Research Institute committees, and input from other leading researchers throughout the Canadian health research ecosystem, HealthCareCAN has developed a new national vision for health research to ensure Canadian health research is world-leading and helps improve health outcomes