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Provinces push forward on vaccination amid lingering questions after Fortin departure

May 16, 2021 | 2:26 PM

Canadian provinces continued to take steps towards hitting their vaccination targets today even as questions linger after the departure of the senior military officer in charge of the national immunization drive. 

Ontario administered its seven millionth vaccine dose over the weekend, which saw several hot spots trying to scale up their efforts to reach more residents. 

One vaccine clinic in Peel region west of Toronto operated for at least 32 hours straight in a bid to reach essential workers logging non-traditional hours as well as younger people.

Ontario officials are set to expand vaccine eligibility to all residents 30 and older this week, though many younger adults have been able to secure shots in virus hot spots. 

Quebec began opening walk-in clinics for those 18 and up a few days ago, and announced today that it had surpassed the 4 million vaccine mark. 

The provinces are pushing ahead amid questions about who will lead Canada’s vaccine rollout following the abrupt departure of Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, who left the post late last week pending the results of a military investigation. 

The federal government has not said why Fortin was reassigned nor who will replace him.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2021

The Canadian Press