Latest from John Paul Tasker
Government staffers fretted about the 'optics' of N95 mask donation for Korean War veterans: documents
Federal Liberal government staffers were worried that a donation of medical-grade masks for Korean War veterans in Canada would send the wrong message as the country grappled with shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the outset of the pandemic.
An earlier end date for vaccination campaign is 'possible', Trudeau says
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that Canada's vaccination campaign could wrap up before September if the country secures the necessary shots and if there's a change in dosing timelines.
AstraZeneca doses set to arrive tomorrow — but questions remain about who gets them first
The first batch of Canada's supply of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is set to arrive tomorrow — but public health officials still have some rollout issues to sort out before they can deliver those shots.
Biden spokesperson rules out helping Canada, Mexico with vaccine supply before all Americans are inoculated
The White House spokesperson today ruled out sending vaccines to continental partners like Canada and Mexico, saying U.S. President Joe Biden is committed to getting every American vaccinated before sharing doses with other countries.
Health Canada approves AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine
Health Canada has approved use of the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, which is expected to arrive in Canada in the second and third quarters of this year.
Federal Conservatives call for suspension of hotel quarantine policy following reports of sexual assault
Some Conservative MPs are asking the federal government to suspend the mandatory hotel quarantine policy in the wake of two reports of sexual violence.
Moderna will deliver 1.3 million doses in March: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed today that Moderna will meet its contractual obligation to deliver 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of March.
'Too early' to say when Johnson & Johnson shots will arrive, minister says
Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand said today that Canada is ready to deploy a new COVID vaccine from Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceutical division, Janssen, once it receives regulatory approval from Health Canada — but she couldn't say how many shots will be available in the coming weeks.
Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos taking medical leave
One of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's senior cabinet ministers will step aside from his duties temporarily as he deals with a medical issue.
AstraZeneca vaccine review is in the 'final stages,' Health Canada says
Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, says the department is poised to make a decision on whether to authorize a promising COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca in the coming days.