In August, Government Quietly Initiated Review of ‘Pandemic Science Advice’
The federal government tasked an expert panel last summer to conduct a review of how it handled aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but details of the review were only publicized in late January.
Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall formally asked the government in November 2023 whether it had hired the services of Sir Mark Walport, the UK’s former chief scientific adviser, to review Ottawa’s response to the pandemic. She also asked when he began his work, what his mandate is, when he’ll issue a report, and why the government hadn’t announced his appointment.
The government says a public report examining the federal approach to “pandemic science advice and research coordination” is expected to be filed in the first quarter of 2024. Sir Walport is also being provided a payment of $9,800 for his work.
A search of related Health Canada press releases from July to December returned no results.
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The Epoch Times asked Health Canada why the review was only made public last week but didn’t hear back by publication time. Other federal entities involved in the review include the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
“The purpose of the review is to support Canada’s preparedness for future pandemics and other health emergencies by taking stock of domestic and international learnings and best practices,” says the government document.
Pedigree
Sir Walport served as head of the biomedical charity Wellcome Trust until 2013 and then as the UK government’s chief scientific advisor from 2013 to 2017. He then lead the UK Research and Innovation, a government investment body.
The Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research awarded Sir Walport the Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research in 2020.
“I think it’s fair to say that many researchers are frustrated by what they see in rising populism and political conditions around the world that seem inimical to tackling the health and environmental conditions of people and the planet,” he said.
Other experts on the panel include: Éric Cohen, professor at the faculty of medicine of the Université de Montréal; Bev Holmes, president of Michael Smith Health Research BC, and Thomas Marrie, a retired infectious disease physician.
Acting Chief Medical Officer at the First Nations Health Authority in B.C., Shannon McDonald, University of Toronto professor Alison McGeer, and Canada Research Chair in Health-Care Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, Fahad Razak, will also serve on the panel.
The Inquiry of Ministry tabled by Mr. Holland says the expert panel is meeting with stakeholders from across Canada in different fields, such as pandemic-related research networks, advisory bodies, provincial health officials, and experts in relevant areas.
