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Canada in WTO talks on possibly waiving COVID-19 vaccine patents

Click to play video: 'Debate rages over whether to waive COVID-19 vaccine patents'
Debate rages over whether to waive COVID-19 vaccine patents
WATCH: Debate rages over whether to waive COVID-19 vaccine patents – Jun 15, 2021

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there is no single “silver bullet” to suddenly result in vaccines being available around the world.

Speaking in Brussels following a Canada-EU with European leaders, Trudeau says the issue of COVID-19 vaccine patents is complex, but the global goal is to get everyone around the world safely vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Click to play video: 'Trudeau commits to vaccines, more pressure on China as G7 summit concludes'
Trudeau commits to vaccines, more pressure on China as G7 summit concludes
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The World Trade Organization is in talks about the possibility of temporarily waiving intellectual property rights around vaccines. Those backing the move say doing so would make it easier for developing countries to import the expertise, equipment and ingredients necessary to make their own COVID-19 vaccines.

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European leaders have presented another alternative to the idea from Africa and India. They believe a better solution is compulsory licensing, which is when a government OKs someone else making a patent-protected product without the owner’s permission.

The Canadian government has confirmed it’s in on the WTO talks around waiving vaccine patents, but after being asked repeatedly, Trudeau has yet to say what Canada’s position is on the matter.

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