HOT TOPIC: COVID-19

Call your MP.

Picking up the phone and calling your Member of Parliament (MP) is still one of the most powerful tools at your disposal.

It can be nerve-racking the first time. Below you'll find essential information on what vaccine equity means, why it matters, and what the government can do.

Sometimes it helps to take a few notes before you make your call, or call a friend and practice. When you're ready, take a deep breath and start changing the world.

Make the call and demand that Canada step up to stop the spread of COVID-19 around the world!

Thank you for fighting to end COVID-19!

Here are some talking points to think about while you are on your call.

Introduce yourself:

Hello, my name is _________________.

Tell them why you're calling:

I'm calling today because I'm concerned about the millions of people around the world who have yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose. I know we can't return to normal or escape the fear of new variants until we defeat the pandemic everywhere.

Make it personal - tell them why this matters to you:

For example: I'm concerned about new variants like Omicron and what that means for lockdowns, students being forced from classrooms, and my ability to see my family.

Tell them what you want:

I want to see stronger action from the Canadian government to end COVID-19 everywhere. There are so many things the government can do:

Deliver doses to low-and middle-income countries immediately. 4.1 billion doses are still needed to fully vaccinate 70% of the world’s population and dismantle barriers to vaccine supply. We need urgent action to share mRNA technology and intellectual property rights and help existing facilities to scale up vaccine production globally.
Fund the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and address crucial gaps in access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, vaccines, and personal protective equipment in low- and middle-income countries. This could help prevent 5 million additional deaths and save the global economy $5.3 trillion USD.
Maintain its global feminist leadership and be unwavering in its call for the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls, everywhere. With even the strongest health systems strained amid the pandemic, there is real risk that these rights will be further removed. Canada needs to lead the conversation and call for governments around the world to respect, uphold, and protect sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.

Hold them accountable:

When can we expect the government to take action?

Say thank you:

Finish your call with a thank you – you never know when you might need to call your representative again!

Additional key facts:

The pandemic has already resulted in 31 million additional cases of gender-based violence.
The United Nations estimates that 13 million additional child marriages will take place in the next decade due to ongoing secondary effects.
A recent Eurasia report found that equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution across the globe would generate $153 billion USD in economic benefits to ten of the world’s largest donor countries, including Canada.
For the first time in 30 years, maternal mortality rates increased as a result of a disruption of healthcare services, nationwide lockdown, and fear of attending health care facilities.
COVID-19 disruptions to healthcare services are also estimated to add 200,000 more stillbirths over a 12-month period.