Canada 'oddly absent' from waiver debate: critics

Ottawa has yet to follow the United States on easing patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines — and critics and allies alike are noticing.

The One Campaign, a progressive anti-poverty group that has praised Justin Trudeau in the past, calls Canada "oddly absent" from the discussion.

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— ONE (@ONECampaign) May 6, 2021

The U.S. agreed Wednesday to so-called text-based negotiations at the World Trade Organization on a possible waiver to the rules.

The idea is to make vaccine formulas and expertise more widely available so more countries could develop their own supply.

Canada expressed support for the U.S. decision, but has so far refused to say whether it would also support the waiver and take part in the talks.

New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh is accusing the prime minister of prioritizing drug-company profits over global public health.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2021.