Saying no country will be able to recover until the coronavirus can be beaten around the world altogether, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced funding for domestic and international research to find a vaccine for COVID-19.
After taking part in a video conference with global leaders Monday morning, Trudeau announced Canada would contribute $850 million toward the new Coronavirus Global Response initiative. Internationally, leaders hope to raise more than $11.5 billion CDN.
Canada is co-hosting the initiative along with the European Union, France, Germany, Spain, Norway, the United Kingdom, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. It will kick-start global cooperation between scientists, government, international organizations, industry, and healthcare professionals to quickly develop a vaccine for COVID-19, as well as treatments and better testing. Through the World Health Organization, it will ensure vulnerable countries do not miss out on the benefits.
"What happens outside our borders, no matter how well we handle what's going on inside our borders, will have an impact on us directly, with the potential further spread of COVID-19, or indirectly with a disruption in supply chains and a weakened global economy," said Trudeau.
The effort does not include the United States. It does include countries with far less wealth than Canada, including South Africa, which pledged $1.2 million.
A statement from the federal government read, "we are committed to helping to ensure that once a vaccine is developed, it will be produced at a scale and cost accessible to all countries."
Canada's funding will support the efforts of many Canadian researchers at universities and companies working hard against the pandemic, and those around the world.
"Our $850 million commitment also includes support for vaccine development through the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the WHO's Solidarity Trial that helps hospitals share information on treatments," Trudeau explained.
Much of the funding has been announced previously, but Trudeau suggested more announcements from his government and others are likely in the coming days and weeks.
"None of us is immune to the effects of COVID-19, and none of us can beat the virus alone," Trudeau told reporters during his morning update. "Only by protecting each other can we protect ourselves."