COVID-19: Canada Responds
PM Trudeau on COVID-19 Aid for Provinces and India, Paid Sick Leave
On Parliament Hill, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discusses the federal government’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic. He is joined virtually by federal ministers Dominic LeBlanc (intergovernmental affairs), Anita Anand (procurement) and Bill Blair (public safety), as well as by Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, and Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer. The prime minister outlines the federal aid to Ontario, where hospital resources are being taxed by a surge in cases of COVID-19. The Canadian Armed Forces will deploy medical personnel following a formal request by the Ontario government. Trudeau also announces that Canadian Armed Forces members will be deployed to testing centres in Nova Scotia as the province faces surging case numbers. The prime minister says Canada is willing to send $10 million to the Indian Red Cross, via the Canadian Red Cross, to help India counter a surge in cases. He also faces questions on Ontario’s request for an increased Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) program, as well as on his knowledge of the sexual harassment allegations against former chief of the defence staff Jonathan Vance. (April 27, 2021)
