Trudeau government under fire for failing Canadians suffering serious COVID vaccine complications
Stories of the claimants
Even those approved remain frustrated
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A Canadian program designed to compensate people seriously injured by COVID-19 vaccines is facing growing criticism from claimants who say they've been abandoned, ignored, and denied basic support.The largest immunization campaign in Canadian history helped curb the spread of COVID-19, saving thousands of lives and easing pressure on overcrowded emergency rooms. For the vast majority, vaccines marked the beginning of a return to normal life.But for a small group who suffered serious side effects, life has never been the same.Launched in 2021 by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau with a $50 million budget, the Vaccine Injury Support Program ( VISP ) was established to provide financial assistance to individuals who suffered permanent, serious harm after receiving a Health Canada-authorized vaccine. The program offers lump-sum payments, income replacement, and medical expense reimbursement.But an investigation reveals that VISP is falling far short of its promise.Of the $50.6 million spent to date, $33.7 million went to administration, while just $16.9 million reached injured Canadians. More than 3,000 claims have been submitted, but 1,700 are still waiting for a decision.Kayla Pollock, a former kindergarten assistant from Ontario, was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a serious spinal condition, after vaccination. She now uses a wheelchair. Pollock submitted her VISP application in July 2022. It was lost. Three years later, her case is still in 'intake.''It costs me more to be alive than if I were dead,' she said.Other claimants shared similar experiences. Shannon Dupont, a Manitoba social worker, suffered a stroke and Bell's palsy after vaccination. She's had nine case managers, cashed out investments, and says she's owed $180,000.Mike Becker was hospitalized with blood clots nine days after his shot. VISP denied his claim, citing missing platelet data. His appeal was mistakenly closed and ignored for nearly two years.Ross Wightman, diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, received $270,000 in 2022. But he waited 20 months for income replacement, and says VISP's poor communication left him relying on 'the bank of family.'VISP was outsourced to private firm Oxaro Inc., which initially expected just 40 claims per year. Critics say the system wasn't prepared for the volume or complexity of real-world cases.Health Minister Marjorie Michel called the reports 'completely unacceptable,' and said her office has asked the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to review the program's operations. 'All options are on the table,' she said.Medical experts, including Dr. Kumanan Wilson, had warned the government not to create the program mid-pandemic. 'You don't want to stand these things up during an emergency,' he said.
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