5.8°C Vancouver

Jan 26, 2021 4:35 PM -

Canada's vaccine deliveries further threatened as Europe mulls export controls

Share On
canadas-vaccine-deliveries-further-threatened-as-europe-mulls-export-controls
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen addresses European lawmakers during the presentation of the program of activities of the Portuguese Presidency on a plenary session at the European Parliament in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Francisco Seco, Pool

Canada's anxiety-laden COVID-19 vaccine programs are facing further threats as Europe warns drug makers it might impose export controls on European-made vaccine doses.

All of Canada's current vaccine doses from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are made in Europe, potentially putting at risk the entirety of Canada's vaccine deliveries.

Europe like Canada is being shorted on deliveries from Pfizer as the company slows production to expand its plant in Belgium.

But AstraZeneca has also now informed Europe productions issues will reduce initial deliveries of its vaccine, which Europe is expected to approve for use later this week.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says in a tweet today that the world's largest trading bloc will establish "a vaccine export transparency mechanism."

Canada has no ability currently to produce COVID-19 vaccines but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has insisted repeatedly that Canada will get enough vaccine doses for all Canadians who want it by the end of September.

Latest news

south-korean-court-sentences-former-president-yoon-suk-yeol-to-five-years-in-prison
WorldJan 16, 2026

South Korean court sentences former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison

A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison in connection with criminal charges linked to his controversial declaration of martial law in late 2024. The ruling, delivered Friday by the Seoul Central District Court, marks the first verdict among eight separate criminal trials Yoon is facing related to the decree and other alleged misconduct. The court convicted Yoon on charges including defying authorities during attempts to detain him and fabricating official documents. Prosecutors had argued that Yoon obstructed law enforcement and abused presiden
BCJan 16, 2026

Abbotsford hotel death under investigation by IHIT

Abbotsford police have turned over an investigation into a death at a local hotel to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. Police say officers were called to a report of suspicious circumstances at a hotel along Marshall Road near Clearbrook Road. When patrol members arrived, they located a deceased person inside one of the hotel rooms. Investigators believe the incident was isolated to that room and say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Police have also stated there is no connection between this case and recent extortion related incidents reported elsewhere in the Fraser Valley. O
carney-raises-greenland-and-arctic-sovereignty-in-meeting-with-chinas-xi
CanadaJan 16, 2026

Carney raises Greenland and Arctic sovereignty in meeting with China’s Xi

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he discussed Greenland’s future and broader Arctic sovereignty issues during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, amid ongoing international attention on the strategic importance of the Arctic region. Carney told reporters the conversation included concerns about recent statements by the U.S. president regarding Greenland, emphasizing Canada’s view that decisions about the territory’s future should rest with the people of Greenland themselves. He said he found “significant alignment” with Xi on the principle of respecting sovereignty
venezuelan-opposition-leader-says-she-presented-nobel-peace-prize-medal-to-trump-during-washington
WorldJan 16, 2026

Venezuelan opposition leader says she presented Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump during Washington

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado says she presented the physical medal from her Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in Washington, describing it as a symbolic gesture recognizing what she called his commitment to democratic change in Venezuela. Machado told reporters after the closed door meeting that she handed the medal to Trump as a sign of appreciation for his support of Venezuelan freedom. The White House did not immediately confirm whether Trump formally accepted the medal, and no further details were released about the exchange. The
canada-china-strike-preliminary-deal-easing-canola-tariffs-in-exchange-for-ev-access
CanadaJan 16, 2026

Canada, China strike preliminary deal easing canola tariffs in exchange for EV access

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada has reached a preliminary trade agreement with China that would ease long-standing agricultural tariffs while allowing a limited number of Chinese-made electric vehicles into the Canadian market. Under the deal, China is expected to reduce duties on Canadian canola seed to 15 per cent by March. Tariffs on canola meal, as well as lobster, crab and peas, are set to be lifted from March through at least the end of the year, offering relief to farmers and exporters who have faced restricted access to one of Canada’s largest overseas markets. In exchange, Ca

Related News