[0.00-6.00] Just over a month ago, we launched the Allison inquiry with a simple goal to provide Canadians with
[6.00-11.52] an opportunity to share their experiences and ensure that their voices are being heard.
[11.52-15.60] Today marks the next step in that process. As we prepare for the hearings, we want to provide
[15.60-21.12] an update on the response we have received. Encourage even more Canadians to come forward
[21.12-26.48] and invite members of Parliament from all parties to take part in listening to the stories
[26.48-30.64] of their constituents. Over the past several years, Canadians experience a pandemic in many
[30.64-36.64] different ways. Many families lost loved ones to COVID-19. Many frontline healthcare workers
[36.64-42.40] and first responders carried an enormous burden, and I want to once again thank them all for all
[42.40-48.16] the work they continue to do every single day. There are also Canadians who suffered serious
[48.16-53.44] adverse events following vaccination and who feel their stories have not been adequately heard.
[54.00-58.72] Regardless of where someone stands on the broader debate, every Canadian deserves to be treated
[58.72-65.60] with dignity, respect, and compassion. When people come forward with their concerns about
[65.60-69.12] their health, our first response should never be dismissal. It should be listening.
[69.92-74.00] The individuals sharing their experiences with the Allison inquiry are not statistics.
[74.00-79.20] They are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors. Their experiences deserve
[79.20-85.20] to be documented, examined, and understood. Good public policy depends on public trust.
[85.84-91.28] Trust is strengthened when governments and institutions are willing to ask difficult questions.
[91.28-95.04] Follow the evidence wherever it leads and acknowledge when people have been harmed.
[95.68-100.32] My position remains simple. Compassion for those who suffered from COVID-19,
[100.32-106.08] compassion for those who were injured following vaccination, and a commitment to transparency,
[106.08-110.32] accountability, and ensuring people have the opportunity to tell their stories.
[110.88-116.16] Canadians should never be afraid to speak, and governments should never be afraid to listen.
[116.16-121.12] Since announcing the Allison inquiry just over a month ago, the response has been overwhelming.
[122.32-126.80] Hundreds of Canadians from across the country have reached out to share their experiences.
[126.80-131.92] Many have spoken about their physical, emotional, financial, and personal challenges they
[131.92-138.00] continue to face today. Not everyone is comfortable testifying publicly, and we completely understand
[138.00-143.60] that. But we still want to hear your story because every story matters whether it's shared publicly
[144.24-149.04] or privately. We've also heard from members of parliament from different parts of the country
[149.04-153.68] who have been contacted by constituents looking for answers and looking to be heard.
[154.40-158.64] That is why emails have now been sent to every member of parliament,
[158.64-163.36] inviting them to engage with this process and forming them of the opportunity for their
[163.36-167.76] constituents to participate. If you are someone who believes you are a loved one suffered
[167.76-171.60] of vaccine injury, I encourage you to reach out to your local member parliament.
[171.92-176.24] We invite MPs from all parties to come to the hearings, whether for an afternoon, a day,
[176.24-179.36] or the entire week. This should not be a partisan issue.
[180.08-185.36] It's about listening to Canadians. Today, I want to highlight once again why these stories matter.
[185.84-191.28] This is not about relitigating every decision made during the unprecedented public health crisis.
[191.28-195.84] It's not about assigning blame. It's about listening. It's about learning.
[195.84-200.48] It's about ensuring that when Canadians face the next public health emergency,
[200.48-205.04] we're better prepared because we have the courage and the honesty to examine
[205.04-212.08] experiences of Canadians. Canadians deserve transparency. Canadians deserve accountability.
[212.08-222.08] And above all, Canadians deserve to know that their experiences matter.