Conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis asked Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos to vote against amendments to the International Health Regulations at the 75th World Health Assembly, which could lead to a World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic treaty. .“Canadians are concerned about the vote this week and are counting on you as their representative to defend our healthcare sovereignty and take steps to ensure that the declaration of pandemics and management thereof are not ceded to the unelected, unaccountable World Health Organization,” said Lewis in a Monday letter..While a WHO pandemic treaty is in the pre-drafting phase, Lewis said Canadians are concerned about the 13 amendments to the International Health Regulations. These amendments, she said, lay the foundation for the future drafting and passing of a WHO pandemic treaty. .She said most pandemic management powers would be granted to the WHO under these amendments. .Lewis asked Duclos to vote against all 13 amendments. She added that she wants public consultations to be launched where people can speak about whether or not they want a pandemic treaty. .She said she wants the Canadian government to call a public inquiry into the Canadian government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This inquiry will allow people to “learn from mistakes that were made in the management of COVID-19 and create our own pandemic response policy,” she said. .Lewis said Canadians deserve to know the federal government has their best interests in mind when it comes to health care. .“There is growing concern about unelected officials within international organizations making healthcare decisions on their behalf during a pandemic,” she said. .“I pray you make the wise decision and protect Canada’s healthcare sovereignty.” .Lewis started a petition ordering Canada not sign onto any WHO pandemic treaty on May 17. .“Canada must not sign away our sovereignty on health care,” she said. .“But that is exactly what some of Canada’s leaders are trying to do, and there is tremendous pressure from around the world to make us do it.”.The petition garnered 22,390 signatures in one week. .CBC News ran a story accusing her of fearmongering with this petition. .The story cited some legal experts who said her claims are false. ."This is all just nonsense," said York University global health professor Steven Hoffman.."This is not at all what is being discussed.”
