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An Ontario woman connected to a Saskatchewan First Nation’s efforts to buy millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses insists the project is above board, despite warnings from the federal and provincial governments that such efforts may be fraudulent.
Carolyn “Carrie” Liddy said in an emailed statement that she has been “directly involved” in attempts to secure COVID-19 vaccine for First Nations and denied that such efforts were illegitimate. In recent days, a federal minister, the Saskatchewan government, Health Canada and the manufacturer of the AstraZeneca vaccine all warned First Nations and other parties to not accept such deals.
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Minister warns of illegitimate COVID-19 vaccine purchase offers
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller is imploring First Nations to exercise caution when dealing with third-party companies attempting to sell COVID-19 vaccines.
“We have indications from the companies that these offers are indeed, not legitimate. That sets off a lot of alarm bells,” Miller said.
The warning comes as the James Smith Cree Nation has reportedly tried to procure millions of vaccines from a Texas based medical supply company.
“My greatest worry would be to see the chain of custody in these vaccines compromised. I know the logistics and the incredible operations that Canada is deployed to make sure that safe, effective and free vaccines get into this country in a safe way. Money isn’t my worry. My worry is the health and safety of the people that would get that vaccine,” explained Miller.
Cathy Majtenyi: Glass houses and safe drinking water Safe drinking water is taken for granted in Canada except on far too many First Nation reserves. Photo by Mickey Conlon
Cathy Majtenyi: Glass houses and safe drinking water By Cathy Majtenyi March 12, 2021
It’s an end-of-March deadline that’s not going to be met. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has failed to deliver on his election promise that public water systems on all First Nations reserves will be potable by March 31, 2021, says Canada’s Auditor General.
According to Indigenous Services Canada statistics, there are still 58 long-term drinking water advisories in 39 First Nations communities, mostly in Ontario, with 99 having been lifted since 2015.