Hello, everyone. I am delighted to be here, at the National Research Council,
with Minister Bains and my fellow members of Parliament from Montréal,
Minister Joly, Rachel Bendayan and our local member, Anthony Housefather.
The President of the National Research Council, Iain Stewart, is also with us today.
From the start, our government’s fight against COVID-19 has been guided by science.
We have therefore invested over $1 billion in a COVID-19 strategy that allows for increased
screening, and supports vaccine research and clinical trials.
In order to protect Canadians, we must follow the advice of public health experts and support
scientific research. This means we also need to support our researchers
as they develop an effective vaccine. Earlier this month, Minister Bains and
Minister Anand announced the names of the members of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.
This group includes vaccine and immunology specialists, as well as industry leaders.
And, based on their advice, we have signed agreements with Pfizer and Moderna to reserve
millions of doses of a future COVID-19 vaccine. And today we are taking another step.
I am announcing that the Government of Canada has signed two new agreements with Novavax
and Johnson & Johnson to reserve millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
they are currently developing. Their most recent vaccine trials have had
promising results. If one of these vaccines is successful,
today’s agreement will ensure that Canadians will have access to the doses needed.
All of our vaccine agreements with Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax and Johnson & Johnson
will give Canada access to at least 88 million doses, with options to obtain tens of millions more.
Minister Anand and Minister Hajdu will have more details for you shortly.
Today, I can announce that the Government of Canada
has signed two new agreements with Novavax, and Johnson and Johnson to reserve
millions of doses of the vaccines they’re developing.
Their most recent vaccine tests show promising results.
That’s why we’re making sure that if one of these potential vaccines is successful,
Canada and Canadians will have access to the doses they need.
Taken together, our vaccine agreements with Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax,
and Johnson and Johnson, will give Canada at least 88 million doses, with options to obtain
tens of millions more. I know that Minister Anand and Minister Hajdu
will have more details to share at the noon briefing today.
In the weeks and months ahead, our government will continue to take the steps needed
to make sure Canada gets a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
Once a vaccine is proven to work, we’ll also need to be able to produce and distribute it
here at home. On that front, I can also announce that
we’re investing over $126 million to expand the bio-manufacturing facility right here
at the National Research Council Royalmount. This funding will increase this facility’s
ability to manufacture vaccines, and will strengthen the NRC’s partnerships
with vaccine developers. We expect the facility to be up and running
by mid-2021. Over the next few weeks and months, our government
will continue working hard to ensure that Canada has a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
Once a vaccine has proven to be effective, we must also be able to produce and distribute it
here in Canada. On that subject, I am also announcing
that we are investing over $126 million in a new bio manufacturing facility at the Human Health
Therapeutics Research Centre here in Montréal. This funding will allow the centre to manufacture
vaccines and strengthen the National Research Council’s partnerships with vaccine developers.
The facility should be ready by mid-2021.
I want to end by recognizing that tomorrow
is the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s “Marathon of Hope.”
Terry’s courage and persistence made him a true Canadian hero, and gave hope to people
around the world. As we honour his legacy, let’s continue
to support the people and families affected by cancer,
and keep working together to find a cure.
I would like to end by reminding everyone
that tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope.
Terry’s courage and perseverance made him a real Canadian hero and gave hope to people
all around the world. As we honour his legacy, let us continue to
support the people and families affected by cancer and to work together to find a cure.
Thank you.