Canada is well positioned to obtain COVID-19 vaccines because of ongoing preparation over the last months. This work to provide every Canadian with access to a vaccine continues, and today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, announced that Major-General Dany Fortin and other general officers and staff of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND) are assisting the government’s efforts.

"As experts and scientists of the Government of Canada are assessing the safety of COVID-19 vaccine candidates, we are working with the provinces and territories to prepare for distribution. Major-General Dany Fortin's proven leadership and unique experience are strong assets to the government's planning efforts. When a vaccine is ready, Canada will be ready."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have been supporting Canadians. During this critical time, MGen Dany Fortin will lead a team of military planners with the Public Health Agency of Canada in support of vaccine distribution. The CAF are poised and ready to respond where we are needed."

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of National Defence

• In addition to Major-General Dany Fortin, Brigadier-General Simon Bernard and Brigadier-General Krista Brodie will also be assisting the Public Health Agency of Canada with logistical planning and coordination.

• CAF personnel are assisting with tasks that include helping to establish the operations centre that will oversee the vaccine roll-out, synchronizing vaccine delivery efforts and providing constant awareness of the status of vaccine storage, delivery and strategy implementation. These CAF members will strengthen plans by introducing risk mitigation tools and by facilitating a series of exercises in advance of the roll-out.

• CAF members assisted PHAC at the beginning of the pandemic with the movement of critical medical and personal protective equipment, and most recently, supporting the ongoing planning for a life-saving vaccine.

• Similarly, CAF regional joint task forces positioned throughout the country are prepared to provide similar logistical and planning support to provinces and territories. This military-civilian interface is similar to what the CAF does in the planning for CAF response to any domestic emergency, from floods to forest fires, and allows for the early identification of possible future requests for assistance.

Associated links

• Canada.ca/coronavirus
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Military response to COVID-19

Cole Davidson
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Floriane Bonneville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100

Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983 
hc.media.sc@canada.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

COVID-19 public enquiries: 
1-833-784-4397

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