January 13, 2022

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau:

The last thing I feel like doing this evening is sitting in front of my computer, writing this email, but as much as I’d like to simply relax and enjoy my evening, I can’t. I keep thinking about how many of our fellow Canadians are struggling—really struggling—right now, as a result of the ongoing stress and strain posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. And I keep thinking of all the people in low-income countries who are dying because they lack access to life-saving vaccines.

It’s pretty clear to me that we as Canadians need to be doing everything in our power to reduce the likelihood of future variants upending our lives once again—not just for our own sakes, but for the sake of everyone.

Scientists have made it crystal clear that the only path out of this pandemic is to vaccinate the entire world. I cannot understand why Canada, a country that prides itself on being a good global citizen, has not yet ratified the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS waiver, which would allow member states to temporarily waive intellectual property rights related to urgently needed COVID-19 vaccines. As Doctors Without Borders has noted, “This measure has been continually blocked, opposed or simply delayed by many of the same wealthy countries who have already secured the vaccine doses they need — including Canada.”

Canada needs to do better. So much better. It needs to demonstrate the moral leadership needed in this moment by supporting the TRIPS waiver. I urge you and your government to demonstrate that leadership.

Sincerely,

Ann Douglas