(Toronto, ON, December 4, 2020) Today, the Ontario government announced the nine members of the new Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force, including the appointment of Ontario Regional Chief, RoseAnne Archibald.

“I am pleased with today’s announcement, and I thank Premier Ford, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones for ensuring First Nations representation on the Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force,” said Ontario Regional Chief, RoseAnne Archibald.

As announced, the task force is chaired by retired General Rick Hillier, Chief of Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces, who will oversee the delivery and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines once approved by Health Canada. This task force also includes the following individuals to assist in the delivery, logistics and administration, clinical guidance as well as public education and outreach:

  • Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s Chief Coroner and Coordinator of Provincial Outbreak Response
  • Homer Tien, trauma surgeon and President and CEO, Ornge
  • Maxwell Smith, a bioethicist and assistant professor, Western University
  • Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases consultant and internist, Toronto General Hospital
  • Regis Vaillancourt, Director of Pharmacy and Integrated Pain Services, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
  • Linda Hasenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corporation
  • Angela Mondou, President and CEO, TECHNATION
  • Mark Saunders, former Toronto Police Chief

“As our response to ensure the health and wellbeing of First Nations in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I am pleased to accept this role alongside the other task force members. This program is a huge undertaking and requires an integrated and coordinated approach across all sectors, territories and experts, to ensure the unique circumstances and logistical challenges such as vaccine deployment, including capacity, supplies and training to administer vaccines, for First Nations are prioritized.

I am looking forward to getting to work immediately to ensure the successful delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to First Nations in Ontario.”

Ontario Regional Chief, RoseAnne Archibald

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The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and a secretariat for collective decision making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario, Canada. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook or Twitter @ChiefsOfOntario.

Chiefs of Ontario – Media Contact:
Genna Benson
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Telephone: 416-523-4020
Email: Genna.Benson@coo.org