CAMBRIDGE, Ontario, Dec. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada’s procurement systems for critical supplies like PPE were unable to cope in the early stages of the global pandemic, and they remain out of step with the realities of our mid-pandemic world, says the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers (CAPPEM). (read article...)

TORONTO -- Health Canada has issued an advisory and asked distributors to recall masks sold with graphene or biographene in them over potential inhalation risks. Graphene is comprised of a single layer of carbon atoms and is considered a nanomaterial, meaning it is made of tiny particles, and is reported to have “antiviral and antibacterial properties,” the advisory says.    

Radio-Canada has obtained documents showing Health Canada warned of the potential for "early pulmonary toxicity" from the SNN200642 masks made by Métallifer, a Quebec-based Read article...

"These efforts have significantly bolstered Ontario’s procurement of critical supplies. We have spent nearly $1.1 billion to supply millions of masks, gowns and face shields to frontline workers and build up our PPE stockpile to be ready for any future challenges. As of today, 74% of the government’s PPE purchases will now be with domestic manufacturers. This is significant progress"... Victor Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade  Read article...

A Times video investigation identified Chinese companies using a contentious labor program for Uighurs to satisfy demand for P.P.E., some of which ended up in the United States and other countries..

Wearing a mask is critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19, but rigorous tests conducted on behalf of CBC's Marketplace found that while some work very well, others offer little protection from the particles that transmit the novel coronavirus. One type of mask can even spread those particles to others... https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-masks-test-1.5795481?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar