This morning, Liberal Party President Alfred Apps circulated the following letter, saying Prime Minister Stephen Harper has “spun the roulette wheel” in relation to public health and then aks “Is the H1N1 pandemic the “Hurricane Katrina” of our own laissez-faire, fend for yourself government??
Here is the letter:
Liberal Friends:
I am deeply troubled by the ever-growing chaos and public concern that is unfolding over swine flu. As the Official Opposition, we can certainly take no joy in the abject failure of government that we are now witnessing. Nor can we responsibly contribute to any of the public panic related to the events of the past few days.
But we would be remiss in our duty to Canadians if we did not shine a bright and unrelenting light on the root causes of the unfortunate and regrettable situation which is now upon us – a situation that could have been prevented and avoided entirely by the government taking iot seriously in the first place.
It is hard to imagine a more stark contrast between the values of Stephen Harper's Conservatives and those of Michael Ignatieff's Liberals on the question of the role of government in protecting the public than that presented by the current swine flu pandemic.
It is not merely a question of competence, although it is most certainly that. The unfolding confusion reflects a complete and utter dereliction of this government's public duty, the responsibility for which goes straight to the top where the culture is established, the priorities are set and the focus is defined.
One would have thought that even the most libertarian and conservative of governments believes it has a duty to discharge in relation to public defence, public security and public health – that swine flu would have been treated as a top priority file rather than an inconvenient afterthought.
But this Prime Minister – the one who really does not believe in government at all, much less its potential both to do good and prevent harm – has foresworn his duty and spun the roulette wheel with the health of Canadians.
I would like to share some thoughts that have been forwarded to me by other concerned Liberals.
Much like the “buying opportunity” he promoted last fall in the midst of the greatest financial meltdown in 60 years, Mr. Harper said that he didn't know if he and his family will be inoculated against the H1N1 virus.
That single, irresponsible abdication of leadership triggered mass confusion. Now that Canadians are unnecessarily dying, we are all entitled to ask why this government thought it necessary or appropriate to spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on slick partisan advertising promoting its pork-barrell infrastructure plan as some sort of credible economic strategy – its so-called “economic action plan” – while at the same time completely ignoring the need to educate the general public about the importance of infection protection and immunization, securing adequate supplies of vaccine and working with the provinces more closely to ensure an efficient and effective delivery system.
Its as though this Prime Minister, despite all the evidence that indicated that a hurricane was bearing down on us, was only reluctantly willing to marshal the resources required mobilize public awareness and respond with a credible plan. Reluctance compounded by half-heartedness. It's as though his strategy, if not to turn a blind eye to the threat altogether, was simply to do the bare minimum and hope the problem would go away. There was no “swine flu action plan” worthy of the name.
The values of this government are unmistakable. In the face of a clear and unequivocal public duty, its approach is to allow Canadians to fend for themselves. Canadians are entitled to wonder if they are being victimized by some clinical cost-benefit analysis premised on the theory that expense could be avoided if demand for the vaccine were suppressed and access to immunization for most was made well nigh impossible.
Health Canada has known about the likely outbreak of H1N1 since May and have been planning for a global spread and even anticipating this to be a pandemic. Incredibly, the Minister of Health, and the Chief Public Health Officer have said that the government's lack of preparedness stems from the fact that, having downplayed the importance of getting vaccinated, it wasn't forecasting the heavy demand we have seen since the death of the 13 year old boy from Brampton. What kind of bizarre ex post fact rationale for negligence is that?
If Health Canada knew that Canadians should get vaccinated, and if they knew that there was confusion, why wasn't there an effort and the resources made much earlier to communicate with Canadians about the importance of getting their flu shots and having the supply in place to deal with whatever demand required?
GSK, a UK-based maker of the H1N1 vaccine, is the one and ONLY supplier for Canada. Why? Who made that decision? On what basis? In the US, there are five different suppliers. Shouldn't we have understood that we are putting the health and safety of Canadians at risk by putting all our eggs in one basket?
Who made the late decision to change the vaccine for pregnant women, and therefore disrupt the production schedule, which inevitably impacted the availability for ALL Canadians?
The minister of health is blaming the provinces for the situation. But the responsibility of the provinces is the roll out and delivery of the vaccine. That's not the problem. They problem has been a- developing the plan; b- approving the vaccine on a timely basis well before flu season; c- getting the supply for all Canadians; and d- communicating the facts clearly to all Canadians. Those are ALL federal responsibilities. In those critical areas the Mr. Harper and his government have failed miserably.
We are told that ample vaccine is available for those people of high risk. Yet, those who are getting seriously ill and dying are not high risk cases, but perfectly healthy people. That's what's caused the surge in demand. They are hearing one thing from the feds, but seeing quite another on the ground. That is what is scaring people and fueling a great deal of distrust of the government.
The attached article “The Broken Contract” was written by our leader Michael Ignatieff in response to the Bush government's utter failure to rise to the obvious challenge to public security, order and health presented by Hurricane Katrina. Is the H1N1 pandemic the “Hurricane Katrina” of our own laissez-faire, fend for yourself government? Read the attached. Reflect on the analogous situation we face. Consider the priorities and values that underlie our own government's response to the threat to public health that this pandemic represents. Recognize that Mr. Harper's government has utterly failed to stand with Canadians and for Canadians in a matter of clear and unequivocal public duty.
Whatever happens, let us fervently hope and pray that the threat to general health and the risk of loss of life flowing from this government's incredible irresponsibility is contained to the absolute minimum.
Sincerely,
Alfred Apps
President, Liberal Party of Canada
This is the first time I've seen anyone make direct reference to the neo-conservative values of the Harper being the primary reason for its mismanagement of H1N1 innoculation process. It's about time Canadians started to understand what a Harper majority would mean for them.
Comments by Jarrod and Gaby in QC have been deleted by me (I do this rarely) for the sole reason that “unparliamentary language” was used. Argue with Apps, with each other, with me — but if you want to suggest certain people may have omitted some facts or compare people to certain anatomical parts — go do that on Small Dead Animals 🙂
Thanks — and, to Gaby and Jarrod, feel free to re-post if you'd like but without the ad hominem attacks.
Oh, for Pete's sake. Spare me the prim and proper “my ears are ringing” posture.
I have read far worse here and elsewhere, yet when I use ONE word that could be considered “unparliamentary” language – which I very rarely use – you decide to censor me.
P.S. Just as it justifiably must irritate you to be referred to as “Aiken” – well, please note it's GaBBy, not GaBy. Thank you.
It's not so much ringing ears I'm worried about but rather libel and slander — This being Canada and all with crap protection for those who would wish to engage in robust and occasionally ribald debate. (Tell that to your Conservative overlords! 🙂 So I always err on the side of legal caution.
But my apologies for the misspelling. You're right: I am irritated by the laziness I assume results in Aiken instead of Akin. 'Course, that's my real name and, though I value your input here and on other blogs, I've always been disappointed that you choose to hide behind your two-b Gabby pseudonym.
Obama must be a neo-con as well as he is having problems with the vaccination program, (and most of the rest of the world, all neo-cons I suppose )
Why should you be disappointed?
I've explained it before. “Gabby” as in someone who loves to yak, given my usually lengthy posts.
And as for “Tell that to your Conservative overlords ! 🙂
I am an independent person, definitely a conservative, but no one tells me what to do, say, or write. So “overlords”? I think not.
Apology accepted, and I understand about the legal angle, even though I'm really steamed. Just for that … I'm reposting my LONG comment, revised version. You have been warned.
OK, so let me try again … let’s see if this gets past the censor.
Mr. Apps writes:
“Much like the “buying opportunity” he promoted last fall in the midst of the greatest financial meltdown in 60 years, Mr. Harper said that he didn't know if he and his family will be inoculated against the H1N1 virus.”
Actually, the PM said he would wait until the medical authorities authorized the wide distribution of the vaccine. That was prior to the start of the vaccine distribution. The PM DID NOT say what Apps claims he did. I call that misrepresenting what the PM said.
Second, Dr. Carolyn Bennett has been complaining not enough information was made available to the general public. Sorry to remind her: as an MD she would have a direct line to more information than the average Joe/Jane Canadian. So, if she knew exactly what information Canadians needed as preventive measures, and what symptoms signalled a consultation with one’s doctor was in order, why didn’t she call a press conference to inform the Canadian public through the media?
If MP Wayne Easter could call one to highlight a doorknob, surely this issue merited wider circulation?
Furthermore, maybe Dr. Bennett is unaware of what is going in Quebec, but the provincial government sent out a booklet to every household the week of the 19th of October or before, prior to the young hockey player’s death. The booklet is entitled “Guide autosoins” (in French only). Following that, an English version was bundled with the October 24th Montreal Gazette (“Self-care Guide”).
Why am I bringing this up? Because Dr. Bennett has said repeatedly that prior to the young Evan Frustaglio’s death, no one knew shortness of breath was one of the telling symptoms. That is inaccurate, as the information was available in those booklets I mentioned. If there’s been any confusion, it’s been created by people like Dr. Bennett. AND everyone seems to have forgotten the young man was sent home by a DOCTOR, who thought he could deal with the illness at home.
A side note: I have the emergency debate on in the background (there’s nothing else on TV, I like drama) and Conservative MP Sylvie Boucher mentioned that very booklet I alluded to.
Third, our neighbours to the south, who are being praised by the opposition for supposedly moving much faster than our government, are also experiencing vaccine shortages, as are other countries.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-ed-vaccine31-2009oct31,0,156449.story
“ … People are lining up at clinics and pestering their doctors for the vaccine, which is 12 million doses short of recent predictions. The country has about a fifth of what's needed to inoculate its most vulnerable populations. … ”
http://trak.in/news/eu-debates-sharing-of-swine-flu-vaccine/13288/
“Luxembourg, Oct 12 (DPA) European Union health ministers met in Luxembourg Monday to debate sharing national stockpiles of vaccines against swine flu with countries which are not so well prepared for the pandemic. Around a dozen of the EU’s 27 member states are short of vaccines, and ‘we will try today to give the European Commission the right to help them’, Sweden’s Health Minister Maria Larsson said as she arrived at the meeting. …”
Once again, the Liberals are misrepresenting the truth, IMO.
Fourth, the question of private clinics administering the vaccine, which the brilliant Dr. Bennett has decried in QP, has nothing to do with preference given to the rich vs. the poor. Every person in line at a private clinic is one fewer person in line at a public clinic.
Fifth, I heard a report on Radio-Canada in a Saturday a.m. newscast that the young hockey player whose unfortunate death caused heightened awareness among the public possibly died from meningitis. There was also this brief report here: http://lcn.canoe.ca/lcn/infos/regional/archives/2009/10/20091031-133837.html
Should that possibility not be investigated, instead of using the young boy’s death for political posturing in order to score points?
Sixth, read some of the info. here (notice blog post of Sept. 8, 2009):
http://shockedinvestor.blogspot.com/2009/09/h1n1-vaccine-manufacturers-stocks-that.html
Many of the vaccine manufacturers have not had the vaccine in full production for very long.
Novartis: “It expects to have a vaccine ready by October.”
GlaxoSmithKline: “… expects to start giving the results to government agencies in September.”
Baxter: “It said it could not take on additional orders.”
Inovio Biomedical: “It expects to begin manufacturing vaccine supplies for H1N1 clinical studies soon (this was August) but it does not yet have the U.S. approval to begin human trials.”
Novavax: “… years of testing are likely to be required before such a new formulation could be widely used in humans.”
In other words, the vaccine has not been as readily available as the Liberals would have the public believe.
To paraphrase Mr. Apps:
“The values of the Liberal Party are unmistakable.”
I'll let you guess what I think they are.
Hmm, it seems other countries started rolling out the vaccine at about the same time we did …
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8317212.stm
“Page last updated at 04:49 GMT, Wednesday, 21 October 2009 05:49 UK
Swine flu vaccination under way
By Nick Triggle
Health reporter, BBC News
The first vaccinations in the UK-wide programme aimed at combating the spread of swine flu have begun.
Seriously ill hospital patients and the health staff caring for them will be the first of 14m people in the “priority group” to be given the jab. …”
http://www.lemonde.fr/cgi-bin/ACHATS/acheter.cgi?offre=ARCHIVES&type_item=ART_ARCH_30J&objet_id=1103112
Grippe A : la France refuse de baisser la garde
Article publié le 22 Octobre 2009
Par Paul Benkimoun Source : LE MONDE
(Revised Google translation)
France refuses to put its guard down
In France, launching the campaign to vaccinate health care workers on Tuesday October 20, Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin indicated that ever since the announcement in early September made by InVS about the beginning of the pandemic “We did not observe any real outbreak of the epidemic which seems in recent weeks to mark a certain … [the rest of the article for subscribers only]
Here’s another European destination …
http://www.ilmessaggero.it/articolo.php?id=78866&sez=HOME_INITALIA
(Revised Google Translation)
“Influenza A: 4 victims, two children
Fazio: don’t storm hospitals
An eleven-year-old dies at Gemelli [hospital], in Rome +80% admitted to the emergency room.
The deputy minister: vaccinate pregnant women, peak in early 2010. Tomorrow the Cri [Italian Red Cross] to distribute over 1.2 million doses
ROME (November 2)
… Vaccines. Fazio explained that the vaccines were distributed in different phases. By October 30th every region had received some doses, around one million in total. Distribution will reach 6 million doses by the end of November. …
”By October 30th all the Regions had received the single doses for a total of one million vaccines. That will increase to two million by the end of next week and six million by the end of November,” said the Deputy Minister of Health, Ferruccio Fazio, during a press conference at Palazzo Chigi. “The manufacturers are unable to produce vaccines for the entire world, you see, even Obama has problems – stresses Fazio – we’re trying to get more vaccines, but it depends on availability. We were able to be the first in Europe to begin vaccinating and we’re well placed, but the vaccines arrive with that type of delivery. …”
And this for socialists who may visit here.
http://www.atravesdevenezuela.com/ATV/noticias/vacuna-de-la-gripe-ah1n1-llegará-venezuela-en-enero-de-2010
“Vacuna de la gripe AH1N1 llegará a Venezuela en enero de 2010
Enviado por Oscar el Mar, 01/09/2009
(Revised Google Translation)
PR/El Nacional
Health Minister Carlos Rotondaro announced Monday that the H1N1 vaccine will arrive in Venezuela in January 2010, and he stated the number of cases to date in the country were 995. The Minister did not reveal the number of casualties, unknown since August 25th. …”
Maybe I'll try to go to Scandinavia next.
Seriously – are the Liberals *really* fundraising off of H1N1?
From five months ago:
40:2 Hansard – 72 (2009/6/10)
Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the World Health Organization is about to announce H1N1 as a full-blown pandemic, and it has singled out its impact on Canada's aboriginal people. Everyone remembers what happened when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. This is Canada's New Orleans.
Why is there a disproportionate impact on first nations? It is because of a lack of resources, a lack of planning, and fundamentally the third world living conditions that aboriginal people face.
When will the government call an emergency summit with aboriginal leaders, provinces and territories to put together a response?
Of course they are. Much as they didn't miss an opportunity to slag the Canadian economy over the last year, they will take advantage of every single H1N1 death for partisan gain.
And am I the only one who's noticed that the Liberals playbooks has been copied verbatim from the Democrats circa 2006? H1N1=Katrina=Harper=Neocon=Bush Slumping Economy=Subprime Mortgage Crisis=Harper=Neocon=Bush Parlimantary Crisis=2000 Election=Harper=Neocon=Bush. Are the Liberals getting their strategies from the 2006 New York Times? These guys are just completely clueless.
How much do they pay you for this extreme BS? I can't even read it. I'd rather read about lawsuits worldwide for this untested, experimental vaccine that some believe may contain a live super-virus intended to wipe out a portion of the population of the world, with plenty of evidence to support this viewpoint. Google it. That said, I hope you get the vaccine, I won't.