Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a virtual meeting with Canada’s premiers this evening about the pressing need for critical medical supplies in the face of an expected surge in COVID-19 cases and a global battle to secure life-saving equipment.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a virtual meeting with Canada’s premiers this evening about the pressing need for critical medical supplies in the face of an expected surge in COVID-19 cases and a global battle to secure life-saving equipment.
The call with provincial and territorial leaders took place as public health agencies across Canada scramble to prepare for a sharp rise in infected patients as they face shortages of ventilators, masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Alberta’s Conservative premier, Jason Kenney, said everyone was focused on the same goal.
“Impressed by how [Canada] is coming together to fight this invisible enemy,” he said on Twitter after the meeting. “I’m also moved by strong solidarity for Alberta’s double whammy: the COVID recession [and] the energy price crash.”
A Liberal source speaking on background told CBC News that some premiers offered to forgo their expected deliveries of personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to divert the supplies to provinces with a greater need. Premiers and the prime minister were also agreed that there is no need to enact the federal Emergencies Act.
Trudeau said this morning that all levels of government have co-operated on a response to the “unprecedented challenge.”
“Going forward, that collaboration will become even more important,” he said during the daily news conference outside his residence at Rideau Cottage.
“We will be there to support the provinces and territories with whatever they need. That includes sending personal protective equipment and other supports for the health care system.”
Trudeau said a million masks arrived in Canada last night, and about 10 million masks have arrived in the last few days.
Watch: Trudeau says more pandemic data will be released soon:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is working with provinces to gather the best possible data and that more analysis or modelling on how the pandemic might unfold in Canada will be coming soon. 1:46
They are being inspected and validated before they’re distributed. Trudeau applauded the Canadian companies that are stepping up to refocus production on critical supplies, pointing to sports equipment manufacturer Bauer, which is turning its operation over to making face shields for health workers.
In today’s daily media briefing, Health Minister Patty Hajdu said a special advisory committee led by Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam and deputy ministers of health for the provinces and territories will determine what supplies go where.
She said she’s encouraged by the level of collaboration to date.
“We need to see Canada pulling together — provinces and territories obviously preparing for their own particular scenarios, and their own particular surges, but also to be understanding that if product is needed across the country in an area where there is a surge, that they will be there to help their fellow Canadians,” she said.
“And we have seen every indication that that’s what’s happening.”
Bidding wars for scarce medical resources
Hajdu said the allocation formula is based on population and need, with some supplies held back to maintain the ability to rapidly redeploy resources to any areas that see caseload surges.
Hajdu said she’s