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Video Archive

Your all-access pass to the people and events shaping Canada’s democracy

00:25:18

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Think Tanks Propose Expert Panel Study on COVID-19 Impacts – March 13, 2024

Representatives from the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) and the Institute on Governance (IOG) outline their report examining the impact of COVID-19 on public institutions across Canada. Jennifer Ditchburn (president and CEO of the IRPP), David McLaughlin (president and CEO of the IOG), and Charles Breton (executive director of the IRPP's Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation) take part in the news conference in Ottawa. The report contains four lessons learned from the pandemic, as well as 12 recommendations to help governments respond more effectively to the next health crisis. It proposes the establishment of an expert panel that consults with key players from provinces, territories, cities and Indigenous communities to examine and analyze the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on various institutions. The news conference comes amid the fourth anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic. (no interpretation)
02:15:11

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Citizen’s Inquiry on COVID-19 Response Releases Final Report

In a virtual news conference, commissioners from the citizen-led inquiry into Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic present their final report. (November 28, 2023) (no interpretation)
00:59:29

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Health Canada Approves New Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Omicron Subvariant

Federal health officials provide an update on Health Canada's approval of Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant of the virus. The vaccine is authorized for use in people six months of age and older. Speaking with reporters in Ottawa are Dr. Supriya Sharma (chief medical adviser with Health Canada), Dr. Marc Berthiaume (the director of the Bureau of Medical Sciences at Health Canada), Dr. Theresa Tam (Canada’s chief public health officer), Dr. Howard Njoo (the deputy chief public health officer), and Dr. Matt Tunis, executive secretary to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, or NACI). Drs. Tam and Njoo also provide an overview of expectations for the upcoming respiratory virus season and respond to questions about the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Canada. (September 12, 2023)
00:49:39

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Quebec Update on Respiratory Infections – December 14, 2022

In Montreal, Dr. Luc Boileau, Quebec's director of public health, provides an update on the evolution of infectious respiratory viruses in the province (no interpretation)
00:18:21

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Ontario Allowing Pharmacists to Prescribe COVID-19 Treatment Paxlovid

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones announces that as of December 12, pharmacists in the province can prescribe the antiviral drug Paxlovid as a treatment for COVID-19. She is joined at the news conference in Toronto by Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA), and Angeline Ng, vice-president of professional affairs at the OPA. (December 8, 2022) (no interpretation)
01:14:07

COVID-19: Canada Responds

B.C. Update on Protecting Kids During Flu Season – December 5, 2022

In Vancouver, Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia's provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, the B.C. health minister, provide an update on the province’s efforts to protect children through the influenza and respiratory virus season. They are joined by Dr. Penny Ballem, the executive lead of Immunize BC Vaccine Operations. (no interpretation)
00:13:22

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Preston Manning on Citizens' Inquiry into Canada’s COVID-19 Response

Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning provides an update on the organization of an independent, citizen-led inquiry into Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic at all government levels. The one-time federal Opposition leader is helping spearhead the proposed seven-city inquiry through a citizens group chaired by him. (November 29, 2022) (no interpretation)
00:32:46

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Federal Update on Respiratory Viruses, Children's Medication – Nov. 25, 2022

In Ottawa, Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal minister of health, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, and Dr. Howard Njoo, the deputy chief public health officer, provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuing rise of other respiratory viruses. Minister Duclos announces that Canada has ordered an additional 500,000 units of imported children's pain medication in response to the continuing shortage across the country. He says the previously announced one million imported units have begun to be distributed. An additional shipment of imported acetaminophen from Australia will be going specifically to hospitals. Dr. Kim Godard, director of health product inspection and licensing at Health Canada, also takes part in the update. (November 25, 2022)
01:13:08

Headline Politics

B.C. Update on Respiratory Virus Season – November 16, 2022

In Victoria, Adrian Dix, British Columbia’s minister of health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, provide an update on the respiratory illness season in the province. Pediatric hospitals across Canada are reporting a surge in respiratory illnesses, including a wave of respiratory syncytial virus and an earlier-than-usual arrival of seasonal influenza. (no interpretation)
01:02:47

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Quebec Update on Emergencies and Respiratory Viruses – November 16, 2022

In Quebec City, Health Minister Christian Dubé reports on the significant spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, RSV and influenza. He recommends that everyone wear masks in public places, except schools and daycares. In addition, he urges citizens to wash their hands regularly and to stay home if they develop symptoms. Dubé discusses recent measures to relieve hospital emergency room congestion and announces the addition of a third specialized nurse practitioner (NP) clinic in Montreal. He is joined by Dr. Luc Boileau, national director of public health, and Daniel Desharnais, assistant deputy minister of health. (no interpretation)
00:16:55

COVID-19: Canada Responds

N.L.’s Top Doctor Discusses New COVID-19 Testing Initiative – November 15, 2022

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador’s chief medical officer of health, holds a news conference in St. John’s to discuss a new provincial COVID-19 rapid antigen test initiative. (no interpretation)
00:18:11

Headline Politics

NDP MP Don Davies Calls for Public Inquiry Into COVID-19 Response

At a news conference on Parliament Hill, NDP health critic Don Davies urges the federal government to launch an independent public inquiry into Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reiterates his party’s call for the government to establish a public drug manufacturer. (November 14, 2022) (no interpretation)
00:32:10

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Ontario Update on Respiratory Illnesses – November 14, 2022

In Toronto, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, and Dr. Chris Simpson, executive vice-president (medical) at Ontario Health, provide an update on the province’s response to COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. In an effort to help overwhelmed children’s hospitals amid a surge of the respiratory illnesses, Dr. Moore recommends that Ontarians wear masks in all indoor public settings.
00:46:48

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Federal Update on the Response to COVID-19 – November 10, 2022

In a virtual news conference, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, and Dr. Howard Njoo, the deputy chief public health officer, provide an update on the state of COVID-19 as well as the respiratory syncytial virus and seasonal influenza.
00:22:45

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Preston Manning Announces Citizens' Inquiry into COVID-19 Response

In Ottawa, former Reform Party leader Preston Manning announces that a citizens group chaired by him is working to establish an independent, citizen-led inquiry into Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group has created a federally incorporated not-for-profit company to finance the inquiry and has begun development on a website. (November 2, 2022) (no interpretation)
00:20:08

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Newfoundland and Labrador Announces Change to COVID-19 Contact Management

In St. John’s, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador’s chief medical officer of health, announces that the recommended delay between tests after testing positive for COVID-19 has been reduced from 72 hours to 48. Fitzgerald adds that those who make close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, but exhibit no symptoms themselves, are no longer required to isolate. The change comes into effect on October 24. She also discusses the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. (October 21, 2022) (no interpretation)
00:57:47

COVID-19: Canada Responds

COVID-19 : Quebec Public Health Says Health System Is Still Fragile

In Montreal, Quebec’s presumptive minister of health and social services, Christian Dubé, is joined by Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau for an update on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province. According to Minister Dubé, the province’s health care system remains fragile. For almost one month now, COVID-19 cases have been increasing and involving persons age 70 and over as well as health workers in particular. The number of hospitalizations has also increased, but with a limited impact on intensive care units. Mr. Dubé also reminds Quebecers of the importance of being vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. (October 12, 2022) (no interpretation)
00:47:32

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Federal Update on COVID-19 Vaccines – October 7, 2022

In a news conference on Parliament Hill, Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal minister of health, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, and Dr. Howard Njoo, the deputy chief public health officer, provide an update on COVID-19 vaccination and monkeypox. They discuss Health Canada’s authorization of Pfizer's bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which targets the original SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The minister also comments on the nationwide shortage of children's pain medication.
00:48:48

COVID-19: Canada Responds

Health Canada Authorizes Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine for Omicron Subvariants

At a technical briefing in Ottawa, federal health officials discuss Health Canada’s authorization of Pfizer's bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which targets the original SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The vaccine is authorized as a booster dose for individuals 12 years of age and older and is the second bivalent COVID-19 vaccine after Moderna’s to be approved in Canada. Taking part in the briefing are Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser with Health Canada, Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer, and Dr. Matthew Tunis, executive secretary to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). (October 7, 2022)
00:41:25

COVID-19: Canada Responds

COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination: Quebec Public Health Updates

In Quebec City, Dr. Luc Boileau, Director of Public Health, provided an update on the COVID-19 outbreak and vaccination campaigns against the COVID-19 virus and influenza. Dr. Boileau recommends that Quebecers get vaccinated against COVID, if they have not already, and reminds them that the booster doses of the new bivalent vaccine must be administered five months after the last vaccine is administered. The flu shot is a few weeks ahead of schedule. Dr. Boileau is accompanied by Daniel Desharnais, Assistant Deputy Minister, Network and Corporate Coordination and Institutional Affairs Branch and Dr. Jean Longtin, Infectious Disease Specialist, CHU de Québec-Université Laval and clinical expert in support of the scientific management of the pandemic. (September 29, 2022) (no interpretation)