Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the risk of COVID-19 to Canadians remains low, but the federal government will ensure provincial and territorial health authorities have the resources to respond to a potential outbreak.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the risk of COVID-19 to Canadians remains low, but the federal government will ensure provincial and territorial health authorities have adequate resources to respond to a potential outbreak.
Speaking to reporters after an event on Tuesday in Halifax, Trudeau said Canada is following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) on “best paths” to respond to the global spread of the respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. He said the virus presents a “real challenge” to health care systems around the world.
“We have full confidence that provincial health authorities will be able to deliver health care services as they are constitutionally mandated to do,” he said.
“But we will, of course, look to ensure there are the resources necessary to keep Canadians safe. This is a moment of real challenge for Canadians, indeed for the world, and we’re all going to be working together to make sure that the impacts are minimized on Canadians.”
Trudeau said he can reassure Canadians that the risk remains low here, but the