This dynamic story juxtaposes historical events with contemporary solutions. It is drawn from a framework of content pillars to give the past and present common context. These content pillars are Panic & Fear, Reaction, Social Impact, Indigenous Impact, Economic Impact, Vaccines, and Lasting Effects.

Within this construct, the documentary explores how the Spanish Flu in 1918 rapidly spread across Canada, decimating urban, rural and Indigenous populations. And how its devastating effects revealed the limitations and inability of federal, provincial and local governments to control it. Conversely, it presents lessons learned from this pandemic, and others such as SARS and H1N1, what preparations government groups and non-governmental groups have made to protect Canadians and prevent a pandemic of equal strength from spreading.

Through interviews with scientists and experts we determine whether or not Canada is prepared. And, through archival film, stills and testimonials from historical experts, we recount how our nation and the world were not prepared to deal with such a virulent pandemic in 1918.

We’ll also lift the lid on the early development and distribution of flu vaccines in 1918 and highlight the leaps and bounds Canada has made in vaccine development (being a world leader), and how the current vaccine industry would react to various scenarios, such as flu strain mutation.

** Please click here for the French version of this program. **