The Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers (CAPPEM) is applauding Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk for her recently released report and recommendations on the need for domestically produced personal protective equipment.
“The eight recommendations put forth by this report form the basis of a crucial strategy to ensure that the PPE crisis that Ontarians faced earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic is never repeated,” said CAPPEM President Barry Hunt. “CAPPEM is ready to support the implementation of these recommendations through our reliable and sustainable network of Canadian manufacturers who are leading the world with product innovation and technology. We can substantially assist in achieving measurable improvements to provincial PPE supply, warehousing and distribution to all of our healthcare networks, first responders, as well as education, long term care, other government institutions and the general public.”
The ministries of Health and Consumer and Government Services have formally accepted the recommendations.
A lack of reliably available PPE prior to – and during – the beginning stages of the pandemic in 2020 was the foundation of CAPPEM’s creation.
CAPPEM members are from all across Canada, but many are based in Ontario and have been able to effectively scale up the production of high-grade, Canadian-made PPE using Canadian and North American-sourced materials.
While global supply chains in general continue to experience material and product shortages and delays, CAPPEM members have formulated “a resilient PPE supply chain so that Canadians will never again be vulnerable to PPE shortages,” states CAPPEM.
“Ontario’s PPE sector has made significant investments to supply domestic markets as well as international clients. In Ontario there is no longer any need to use off shore products that are often inferior and may come from jurisdictions with poor labour and environmental records,” says Hunt.
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