General

The politicization of the pandemic

Opposition MPs call a summer meeting on H1N1

Conservative MPs were just trying to enjoy their summer vacations; but the opposition has thrown a kink in those plans, recalling a parliamentary committee to study the swine flu epidemic. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq is not pleased: “They don’t need to recall a parliamentary committee meeting in the middle of summer,” she explained to reporters, claiming the opposition is simply trying to “play politics.” Opposition MPs say they
called the meeting because they were dissatisfied with the government’s ability to deal with a possible H1N1 resurgence in the fall. But Aglukkaq
says it was an unnecessary political ploy, noting that more than 20 news conferences on swine flu have occurred since the spring. The federal government has approved a $926,600 agreement with the International Centre for Infections Diseases in Winnipeg, which will develop strategies for
fighting the pandemic.

Canadian Press

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