Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, discusses her annual report on Oct. 28, 2020. (Photo: CPAC video capture)
Canada’s chief public health officer spent most of her annual report Wednesday talking about our response to COVID-19.
Dr. Theresa Tam says the novel coronavirus has affected every aspect of our life, including the opioid crisis.
“There are indications that the street drug supply of opioids has grown more unpredictable and toxic due to the pre-pandemic supply chains being disrupted by travel restrictions and border measures,” said Tam.
Tam said the COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered sectors in Canada’s society that are very vulnerable to the virus, including those living in long-term care homes, caregivers, and low-income Canadians.
“That’s the kind of situation that now every Canadian is now aware of. Before it may be invisible, now it’s blatantly obvious and I trust that everybody wants to reverse those kinds of trends,” she said.
Canada’s top doctor also said she would like to see a closer working relationship between all levels of government.
Tam said there has been incredible cooperation during COVID-19 between departments and she would like to see that continue.
“Why can’t we have those governance structures beyond the crisis and into recovery and why can’t we have these intersectoral collaborations, which much of it happens at the local level, continue,” she said.
You can view the full report online.
With files from Tim Davidson.
