Unifor launches “Vaccine Access for All” petition

Unifor has joined a growing community of organizations calling on the World Trade Organization (WTO) to waive restrictive international trade rules and promote increased global production of COVID-19 vaccines, and has launched a petition to the federal government, urging Canada to support the “TRIPS waiver” at the WTO.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a persistent threat to the health, safety and well-being of all people around the globe, but especially working people and the poor,” Unifor said in a recent call-to-action sent to union members and activists. “We know that this pandemic will not end for anyone until it ends for everyone.”

Unifor, a member of the Canadian Health Coalition, applauded Canada’s vaccine programs, but noted, “At the same time, many low-income nations – ravaged by COVID-19 and highly transmissible variants – lack sufficient access to vaccines and medical equipment. Most developing countries lack the resources to develop their own life-saving tools, and are left to rely on the charity of rich countries as well as large corporate patent-holders. This is unacceptable.”

You can join Unifor and take action by sending a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trade Minister Mary Ng and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly – urging them to support the TRIPS waiver.

Send your letter: https://www.unifor.org/campaigns/all-campaigns/vaccine-access-all