Just the facts:

April 23, 2009

an H1N1 Timeline
New strain of flu virus surfaces in Mexico

April 27, 2009

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff demands government come up with a
plan to deal with H1N1. Min. Aglukkaq tells the HoC that, “Canada is well
positioned to deal with the issue. We have a national plan for disease
outbreaks and we are following it.”
April 28, 2009
Minister Aglukkaq assures the HoC that the government “...plan included the
stockpiling of vaccines for provinces and territories."

May 19, 2009

Canadian scientists map genome sequence of H1N1 virus.
May 2009
The United States and U.K. place order for vaccine.

July 7, 2009
WHO recommends massive vaccine response, with pregnant women
being given a non- adjuvented version of the shot.
July 24, 2009
Novartis International AG had already secured orders for H1N1 vaccines amid discussions
with more than 35 governments, including signed contracts with the United States, France,
the Netherlands and Switzerland.

August 6, 2009
Canada orders vaccine, three months after the United States places its first order.

August 12, 2009

Leona Aglukkaq tells Health Committee, “No matter what comes our way this
fall, we are well prepared.”

September 2, 2009
Liberal Industry Critic Marc Garneau sounds the alarm on timing of vaccine,
“What good is a vaccine if it comes too late to help people?”

September 4, 2009
Canada finally orders unadjuvented version of the vaccine for pregnant mothers
-- 2 months after WTO reccomendation.

October 5, 2009
CTV reports that while US vaccinations are already underway, testing
on the Canadian vaccine hasn’t even started.

October 20, 2009

Minister Aglukkaq tells the HoC, “...we are on schedule with the vaccine rollout. As the
Chief Public Health Officer has stated, the vaccine will be widely available to all
Canadians in early November.”

October 23, 2009

Canada begins vaccination, weeks after China, Australia, the United States
and Sweden.

October 26, 2009

Massive lineups, shortages, delays. Public health officials overwhelmed in many
regions, with patients being turned away.

October 29, 2009

GSK informs government that vaccine deliveries will be cut dramatically in
order to accomodate the production of the non-adjuvented version.

October 29, 2009

Tony Clement tells the HoC, ...”there has been no delay. Every week, the provinces are
receiving approximately 2 million doses. The total is now 6 million doses. Next week,
another 3 million doses will be made available for Canadians and their health.

October 30, 2009

Taken by suprise, provincial health authorities announce that vaccine will
not be available to general population, as regions ration scarce supply of
the vaccine.

November 2, 2009
Aglukkaq attempts to shift blame for the disaster onto GSK and Provinces, telling
CTV that “Provinces and territories deliver health care.” She fails to mention that it’s
a federal responsibility to deliver the vaccine.

Contact : Press Office Office of the Leader of the Opposition (613)-995-5904