For
immediate release:
February 25, 2005
Barrett reveals
lack of government preparedness for bird flu concerns
UN, Barrett pandemic
warnings fall on deaf ears
Queen’s Park
– Months after being accused of fearmongering by the Minister of
Agriculture, Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett again questioned
the government’s preparedness to deal with international warnings
of a potential bird flu pandemic.
With the Agriculture
Minister absent, Barrett directed his question to the Acting Premier and
Minister of Health George Smitherman.
“On April 15
last year, a day after I asked what the government's plans were for H5N1,
your minister said, ‘I think it is very unfortunate that we are
fearmongering in this province,’” Barrett recounted. “You
know this file. Do you feel that asking questions about bird flu is fearmongering?”
Minister Smitherman
responded by indicating the government is listening and learning –
but made no mention of any concrete plan of action.
“What I do know
on this very important subject is that the Ministry of Health and the
Ministry of Agriculture have been working very closely with a variety
of interested people,” said Smitherman. “We have, of course,
been taking lessons that have been applied through the work of Health
Canada, and working very closely with the World Health Organization with
a view to learning all the lessons that can be learned.”
Barrett went back
at the Minister, pointing out that international officials are now warning
of a possible pandemic and asking for a plan to prepare for the potential
disaster-in-waiting.
Barrett quoted the
experts:
“Dr. Julie Gerberding,
the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is now saying
scientists expect Asian bird flu virus will change into a flu that can
be transmitted between humans - she considers this "a very high threat,"
and Hans Wagner, of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization:
"At the moment, we are not on top of it."
“What steps
are being taken to prevent an outbreak of H5N1?” Barrett asked.
“Is your Minister of Agriculture or your Minister of the Environment
listening to their staff? Is there a plan?”
In his response Smitherman
referred to a plan, but failed to produce any details.
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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446,
416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629
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