I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD FROM 
PEOPLE AS HAVE I, THAT IT WAS 
ONE THING TO GET ACCESS TO A 
LOAN, BUT IF YOU HAD TO PAY TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN RENT,
YOU WOULD BE IN TROUBLE.
>> Vassy: WE'RE EXPECTING FROM 
THE PRIME MINISTER AN 
ANNOUNCEMENT ON RENT RELIEF 
DIRECTED THRI THE PRIME 
MINISTER, FUNNELED EVENTUALLY 
THROUGH THE PROVINCES THAT HAVE 
JURISDICTION.
IT WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A LOAN
TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS 
WHO WILL HAVE TO OFFER RENT 
RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESSES.
TIME IS IMPORTANT HERE.
MAY 1 IS COMING UP, APRIL 1 HAS 
PASSED, AND IN THE INTERIM WE 
ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING 
FROM SMALL BUSINESSES.
>> Rosemary: NOW THE PRIME 
MINISTER OF CANADA.
>> Prime Minister Justin 
Trudeau: AT 2:00 P.M. ATLANTIC 
TIME WE WILL OBSERVE A MINUTE OF
SILENCE FOR THE KILLING OF HEIDI
STEVENSON.
AT 6 P.M. EASTERN A VIRTUAL 
VIGIL WILL BE HELD TO REMEMBER 
THOSE TAKEN TOO SOON AND TO 
SUPPORT FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
I HOPE MANY OF YOU WILL JOIN US 
AND WEAR RED IN A SHOW OF 
SOLIDARITY.
LET'S COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT 
THESE COMMUNITIES WHO SUFFERED 
IMMEASURABLE LOSS.
LET'S CELEBRATE THE LIVES OF 
THOSE WHO LEFT US TOO SOON.
LET'S REMEMBER THE FAMILY, 
FRIENDS, LOVED ONES WHOSE 
ABSENCE WILL LINGER FOR YEARS 
AND LIVES.
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AT
NovaScotiaremembers.com.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] THIS PAST WEEK HAS 
BEEN PARTICULARLY PAINFUL AND 
HEART-BREAKING FOR ALL THE 
PEOPLE OF NOVA SCOTIA.
AT 2:00 P.M. TODAY WE WILL 
OBSERVE ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE TO
REMEMBER CONSTABLE HEIDI 
STEVENSON AND OTHER VICTIMS OF 
THE SHOOTING IN NOVA SCOTIA.
AT 7:00 P.M. THERE WILL BE A 
VIRTUAL VIGIL.
AT 6:00 P.M. ATLANTIC TIME, AT 
6:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME.
THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 
US TO SHOW THE FAMILY AND 
FRIENDS OF THE VICTIMS THAT WE 
ARE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM.
I DO HOPE THAT MANY OF YOU WILL 
JOIN US AND WILL WEAR RED AS A 
SIGN OF SOLIDARITY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN 
CONSULT THE SITE 
NovaScotiaremembers.com.
[end of translation] AT THE 
BEGINNING OF THE OUTBREAK OUR 
GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH
PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL 
PARTNERS TO NOT ONLY GET THROUGH
THIS, BUT TO POSITION THE 
ECONOMY TO REBOUND ONCE THIS IS 
OVER.
A BIG PART OF THIS WORK IS 
LISTENING TO CANADIANS AND 
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS AS WE GO 
ALONG.
ONE THING WE'VE HEARD IS SMALL 
BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE 
MAKING RENT BECAUSE OF COVID-19.
IF YOU'VE HAD TO CLOSE UP SHOP 
BECAUSE OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
RECOMMENDATIONS, IF YOU DON'T 
HAVE A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN 
BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T SPENDING 
MUCH THESE DAYS, YOU MAY BE 
WORRIED ABOUT LOSING YOUR OFFICE
SPACE OR NOT HAVING A COFFEE 
SHOP TO REOPEN AFTER THIS 
CRISIS.
WE ARE INTRODUCING THE CANADA 
EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL RENT 
ASSISTANCE PLAN.
TODAY I CAN ANNOUNCE THAT WE'VE 
REACHED AGREEMENTS WITH ALL 
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES TO 
LOWER RENT BY 75% FOR SMALL 
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN 
STRONGLY AFFECTED BY COVID-19 
FOR APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL COVER 50% OF
THAT REDUCTION WITH THE PROPERTY
OWNER COVERING THE REST.
IF YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESS THAT
HAS BEEN STRONGLY AFFECTED BY 
COVID-19 AND YOU'RE PAYING LESS 
THAN $50,000 PER MONTH ON RENT, 
YOU'LL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE 
THIS SUPPORT.
YOU WILL ALSO BE THERE FOR 
NON-PROFITS AND CHARITABLE 
ORGANIZATIONS STRUGGLING.
WE WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT 
RENT SUPPORT FOR LARGER 
BUSINESSES IN THE COMING DAYS.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] LAST WEEK I 
ANNOUNCED OUR INTENTION OF 
INTRODUCING THE QUAE EMERGENCY 
COMMERCIAL RENT ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM.
TODAY I AM ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT 
WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENTS WITH 
ALL THE PROVINCES AND 
TERRITORIES TO LOWER RENT BY 75%
FOR SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED 
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN HARD 
HIT BY COVID-19 FOR THE MONTHS 
OF APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL COVER 50% OF
THAT REDUCTION, WHEREAS THE 
OWNER WILL COVER THE REST.
THIS SUPPORT WILL BE ABLE TO 
SMALL BUSINESSES HARD HIT BY 
COVID-19 AND WHOSE MONTHLY RENT 
IS LESS THAN $50,000.
CHARITIES AND NON-PROFIT 
ORGANIZATIONS WILL ALSO BE 
ELIGIBLE UNDER THE PROGRAM AND 
LATER WE WILL HAVE NEWS FOR 
LARGER CORPORATIONS.
LATER TODAY I WILL BE TALKING TO
THE PREMIERS OF THE PROVINCES 
AND TERRITORIES.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THINGS ON 
THE AGENDA.
FOR ONE THING, WE WILL BE 
CONTINUING OUR CONVERSATION ON 
THE GRADUAL REOPENING OF THE 
ECONOMY.
CANADA IS A HUGE COUNTRY AND 
IT'S CLEAR THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS
NOT HIT EACH REGION THE SAME 
WAY.
WE ARE A FEDERATION.
THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO 
ADJUST OUR RESPONSE TO THE 
REALITY OF EACH PROVINCE AND 
TERRITORY.
BUT REOPENING THE ECONOMY, 
WHATEVER PROVINCES AND 
TERRITORIES ARE CONCERNED, WILL 
HAVE TO HAPPEN GRADUALLY TO 
ENSURE THE PROGRESS THAT HAS 
BEEN ACHIEVED WILL NOT BE LOST, 
THERE MUST BE SIGNIFICANT 
COORDINATION AT THE NATIONAL 
LEVEL.
SO WE WILL BE WORKING WITH 
PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL 
GOVERNMENTS AND ESTABLISH 
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ENSURE THE 
SAFETY OF CANADIANS.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR WHEN IT COMES
TO REOPENING THE ECONOMY, THAT 
WILL NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
IT HAS TO BE DONE ONE STEP AT A 
TIME.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT US TO START 
FROM SCRATCH, EVERY SINGLE 
PERSON MUST CONTINUE TO BE 
VIGILANT AND TO FOLLOW PUBLIC 
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS.
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS 
CRISIS, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING WHAT
HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN SINGAPORE 
AND JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA.
IN SOME PLACES WE HAVE SEEN THE 
CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH 
REOPENING THE ECONOMY, SO WE 
MUST BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL.
EVERY PLACE MUST HAVE A SEPARATE
APPROACH.
IF YOU SEE ONE PROVINCE IS GOING
TO RELAX ITS RULES, YOU MUST 
STILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE 
RULES IN PLACE WHERE YOU LIVE, 
OTHERWISE THERE IS A REAL RISK 
WE WILL LOSE EVERYTHING WE'VE 
DONE THUS FAR.
AS I SAID YESTERDAY, WE ARE 
WITNESSING TROUBLING SCENES IN 
SENIORS' HOMES AND LONG-TERM 
CARE FACILITIES RIGHT ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND OUR 
GOVERNMENT WILL BE THERE TO 
HELP.
MEMBERS OF THE CANADIAN ARMED 
FORCES WILL BE DEPLOYED 
FOLLOWING AN OFFICIAL REQUEST 
FROM ONTARIO AND QUÉBEC.
AND THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC 
SAFETY HAS ACCEPTED THOSE 
REQUESTS.
THE RECONNAISSANCE WORK IS 
UNDERWAY IN THOSE TWO PROVINCES 
AND WE ARE NOW IDENTIFYING THE 
WORK TO BE DONE AND THE NEXT 
STEPS.
ONTARIANS AND QUÉBECERS AND ALL 
CANADIANS CAN COUNT ON US IN 
THIS CRISIS.
WE ARE DEPLOYING THE ARMY TO 
PROVIDE URGENT ASSISTANCE AND 
HELP THE PROVINCES TO TAKE 
CONTROL OF THE SITUATION.
WE KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT A 
LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
WE HAVE ALSO GIVEN MILLIONS OF 
DOLLARS TO THE PROVINCES TO BEEF
UP SALARIES SO THE SENIORS 
RECEIVE THE CARE THEY DESERVE.
[end of translation] WHAT WE'RE 
WITNESSING IN LONG-TERM CARE 
FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS
EXTREMELY TROUBLING.
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
OUR GOVERNMENT WILL BE THERE TO 
HELP THE PROVINCES.
MEMBERS OF THE CANADIAN ARMED 
FORCES WILL BE DEPLOYED AFTER 
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY 
RECEIVED AND APPROVED TWO FORMAL
REQUESTS FROM ONTARIO AND 
QUÉBEC.
RECONNAISSANCE WORK IS UNDERWAY 
IN BOTH PROVINCES.
WE'RE IDENTIFYING WHAT NEEDS TO 
BE DONE AND MAPPING OUT NEXT 
STEPS.
AS I SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE, WE 
WILL BE THERE FOR QUÉBECERS, 
ONTARIANS, AND ALL CANADIANS 
DURING THIS CRISIS.
WE'RE DEPLOYING THE MILITARY TO 
PROVIDE EMERGENCY SUPPORT TO 
HELP PROVINCES REGAIN CONTROL OF
THE SITUATION, BUT WE ALL KNOW 
THAT THIS IS ONLY A SHORT-TERM 
SOLUTION.
WE'RE ALSO OFFERING BILLIONS OF 
DOLLARS TO PROVINCES TO TOP UP 
THE PAY OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND
MAKE SURE ELDERLY CANADIANS GET 
THE SUPPORT THEY DESERVE.
LATER TODAY I WILL BE MEETING 
WITH THE FIRST MINISTERS TO 
CONTINUE OUR WORK ON SUPPORTING 
CANADIANS DURING THIS TIME.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT 
REOPENING PARTS OF THE ECONOMY.
CANADA IS A VAST COUNTRY, AND 
SOME REGIONS HAVE BEEN HIT 
HARDER THAN OTHERS DURING THIS 
PANDEMIC.
WE'RE A FEDERATION SO WE HAVE TO
ADAPT OUR RESPONSE TO THE 
REALITIES AND CHALLENGES OF EACH
PROVINCE AND TERRITORY.
BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT 
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL WILL NOT 
HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.
IT WON'T BE AS SIMPLE OR EASY AS
FLIPPING A SWITCH.
IT WILL REQUIRE A LOT OF 
COORDINATION AT THE NATIONAL 
LEVEL AND OUR GOVERNMENT WILL BE
THERE TO DO THAT WORK.
WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THE 
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES TO 
ESTABLISH PRINCIPLES AND 
GUIDELINES TO START REOPENING 
THE ECONOMY SAFELY.
OVER THE COMING WEEKS, YOU'LL 
HEAR MORE TALK ABOUT REOPENING, 
BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW, WE'RE NOT 
OUT OF THE WOODS.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT 
EVERYONE CONTINUES TO FOLLOW 
LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTRUCTIONS
AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
FOR NOW, THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE 
THE SAME FOR ALL CANADIANS.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU 
SHOULD BE STAYING HOME AS MUCH 
AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.
YOU SHOULD BE WASHING YOUR HANDS
REGULARLY.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP A SAFE 
DISTANCE OF 2 METRES FROM 
OTHERS.
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO 
MAKE IT THROUGH TOGETHER.
>> Question: [Speaking French] 
[Voice of Interpreter] GOOD 
MORNING.
FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE YOU 
TO COMMENT ON THIS COMMERCIAL 
RENT PROGRAM.
THERE ARE SOME BUSINESS OWNERS 
THAT THEY HAD TO SHUT DOWN THEIR
BOUTIQUES OR THEIR RESTAURANTS.
CAN YOU TELL US WHEN WILL THAT 
MONEY BE DELIVERED TO THEM?
DON'T YOU THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE 
ACTED ON THIS EARLIER?
>> Answer: WELL, WE KNOW THAT 
THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT 
CRISIS AND THAT SMALL BUSINESSES
HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY THIS, 
INCLUDING RESTAURANTS AND OTHER 
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE HAD TO SHUT
DOWN COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF 
COVID-19.
THAT'S WHY WE RECOGNIZE THAT 
EVEN WITH THE WAGE SUBSIDY, 
FIXED COSTS FOR THESE BUSINESSES
ARE A REAL CHALLENGE.
THAT'S WHY WE WILL BE COVERING 
75% OF THEIR RENT FOR APRIL, 
MAY, AND JUNE, AND WE'LL SEE 
AFTERWARDS WHAT'S NECESSARY.
FOR THOSE BUSINESSES THAT ARE 
HARDEST HIT BY COVID-19.
NOW, WE HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED 
A PROGRAM OF ACCESS TO CREDIT 
FOR BUSINESSES.
THEY CAN RECEIVE UP TO $40,000 
TO HELP THEM TO PAY THEIR COSTS 
IN THE INTERIM.
AND THE MONEY TO PAY THEIR RENT 
WILL BE GETTING TO THEM AS SOON 
AS POSSIBLE.
THAT WILL HELP THEM IN APRIL.
>> A FOLLOW UP.
>> Question: YES, AS A 
FOLLOW-UP, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO 
COMMENT ON LONG-TERM CARE 
FACILITIES IN ONTARIO AND 
QUÉBEC.
SOME HAVE A SENSE THAT YOU WERE 
DICK STATING TO THE PROVINCES OR
LECTURING THEM.
THE PREMIERS HAVE BEEN SAYING 
IT'S A SIMPLE SOLUTION.
IT'S BEEN KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO INCREASE 
ITS TRANSFERS TO THE PROVINCES.
SO NOW WILL YOU DO THAT?
>> Answer: WELL, I CAN TELL YOU 
THAT ALL CANADIANS ARE ASKING 
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS 
HAPPENING IN SENIORS' HOMES AND 
LONG-TERM CARE HOMES.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF REFLECTION 
THAT WE ALL HAVE TO ENGAGE IN AT
ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AS WELL
AS TO WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE 
AND ALSO WHAT WE MUST DO IN THE 
COMING MONTHS AND YEARS.
THE FACT IS THAT WE WILL BE PART
OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE 
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST BE 
PART OF THE SOLUTION.
WE WILL BE PART OF THOSE 
DISCUSSIONS WHEN THEY HAPPEN.
BUT RIGHT NOW OUR EMPHASIS IS 
GETTING THROUGH THIS CRISIS AND 
HELPING THE PROVINCES TO REGAIN 
CONTROL OF THE SITUATION.
WE WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT 
CANADIANS.
WE WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT OUR 
SENIORS IN TROUBLE THESE DAYS.
[end of translation] OBVIOUSLY 
ALL CANADIANS ARE ASKING 
THEMSELVES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 
SITUATION THAT HAS ALLOWED SO 
MANY OF OUR ELDERS TO BE SO 
INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE TO 
COVID-19 AND RELATED ISSUES.
WE NEED TO BE BETTER AND WE WILL
BE WORKING WITH THE PROVINCES ON
WAYS TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE WILL OF COURSE BE THERE TO 
HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE 
PROVINCES ABOUT INCREASING 
SUPPORTS FOR HEALTHCARE.
WE WILL HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS
IN THE FUTURE.
RIGHT NOW OUR FOCUS IS ON MAKING
SURE WE'RE GIVING ALL THE HELP 
NEEDED DURING THIS CRISIS TO THE
PROVINCES AND SPECIFICALLY TO 
CANADIANS RIGHT ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY.
>> Question: [Speaking French] 
[Voice of Interpreter] GOOD 
MORNING, MR. TRUDEAU.
I JUST WANT TO COME BACK TO 
RENT.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WILL THE 
PROVINCES -- WHAT PERCENTAGE 
THEY WILL BE COVERING, WHERE THE
MONEY WILL COME FROM, AND IN 
WHAT PROPORTIONS AND WHAT THIS 
WILL -- HOW THIS WILL REALLY 
WORK.
>> Answer: WELL, FOR BUSINESSES 
THAT ARE PAYING $50,000 IN RENT 
OR LESS THAT HAVE BEEN HARD HIT 
BY COVID-19, WE WILL ALLOW THEM 
TO PAY ONLY 25% OF THEIR RENT IN
APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE.
OF THE 75% THAT THEY WILL NOT BE
PAYING, THE LANDLORD WILL ABSORB
25% AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 
AND THE PROVINCES WILL ABSORB 
THE OTHER 50%.
THE PROPORTION BETWEEN THE 
PROVINCES AND THE GOVERNMENT IS 
75% FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 
AND 25% FOR THE PROVINCES.
BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE MORE 
DETAILS ABOUT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT 
IN THE FOLLOWING HOUR.
>> A FOLLOW-UP, CATHARINE.
>> Question: WITH RESPECT TO THE
TOP-UP PAYMENTS FOR ESSENTIAL 
WORKERS, YOU ARE GIVING BILLIONS
OF DOLLARS TO THE PROVINCES, AND
WE KNOW THIS WAS ON YOUR AGENDA 
OF YOUR DISCUSSION WITH THE 
PREMIERS OF THE PROVINCES AND 
TERRITORIES.
HAVE YOU REACHED AN AGREEMENT 
WITH THEM OR IF NOT WHERE IS THE
LOGJAM?
>> Answer: YES, WE HAD A LOT OF 
DISCUSSION WITH THE PREMIERS.
OBVIOUSLY DIFFERENT PROVINCES 
HAVE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.
BRITISH COLUMBIA HAS TAKEN 
ACTION IN THEIR OWN WAY AND SO 
HAS SASKATCHEWAN.
WE WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM
IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND 
PERHAPS TO ADD ON TO THAT.
OTHER PROVINCES ARE NOT FACING 
AS MUCH OF AN INTENSITY IN TERMS
OF THE PANDEMIC.
SO WE'RE NOT TOTALLY CERTAIN HOW
OR THEY'RE NOT CERTAIN HOW THEY 
WANT THAT AID TO COME.
IN THE COMING DAYS WE WILL BE 
TALKING TO SEE WHAT MAKES SENSE 
FOR EVERYONE.
WE ARE THERE TO HELP AND TO 
ENSURE THAT OUR ESSENTIAL 
WORKERS HAVE THE NECESSARY 
SUPPORT TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR 
WORK.
[end of translation] WE HAVE 
BEEN WORKING OVER THE PAST WEEK 
WITH PROVINCES ON TOPPING UP THE
PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, 
PARTICULARLY THOSE IN LONG-TERM 
CARE FACILITIES.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THEY ARE DOING
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT -- 
THEY'RE ALWAYS PARTICULARLY 
IMPORTANT JOBS, BUT THEY'RE 
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AND 
COMPLEX CIRCUMSTANCES RIGHT NOW.
ALL PROVINCES ARE IN DIFFERENT 
CIRCUMSTANCES.
SOME PROVINCES WANT TO MOVE 
FORWARD AND OTHER PROVINCES HAD 
QUESTIONS AROUND BUDGETARY 
CONSTRAINTS.
WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO HAVING 
AN AGREEMENT WITH ALL THE 
PROVINCES AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE 
TO MOVE FORWARD SOON.
>> Operator: NEXT QUESTION LAURA
OSMOND "THE CANADIAN PRESS."
LINE OPEN.
>> Question: I WANTED TO ASK YOU
ABOUT THE COST-SHARING AGREEMENT
WITH THE PROVINCES FOR THE 
RENTAL SUBSIDIES.
ARE THEY SET IN STONE OR BEING 
NEGOTIATED?
IF SO, ARE DIFFERENT PROVINCES 
MAKING THEIR OWN DEALS WITH THE 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR WILL IT BE
CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD?
>> Answer: THOSE ARE QUESTIONS 
FOR THE TECHNICAL BRIEFING 
LATER.
WE HAVE WORKED OUT AGREEMENTS 
WITH THE PROVINCES AND THE 
PROGRAM THE WAY IT IS NOW IS HOW
IT WILL UNFOLD.
>> FOLLOW UP.
>> Question: SOME BUSINESSES ARE
SAYING THEY HAVE NO REVENUE, 
THEY CAN'T COVER THAT 25% AND 
NOW THAT THEY'VE SHUT THEIR 
DOORS THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO 
REOPEN THEM UNLESS THEY GET FULL
SUPPORT.
IS THERE MORE HELP COMING FOR 
THEM?
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE 
BUSINESSES?
>> Answer: THIS IS AN EXTREMELY 
DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR 
CANADIANS AND BUSINESSES RIGHT 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT COVID-19 IS 
HITTING SOME PEOPLE HARDER THAN 
OTHERS, SOME AREAS HARDER THAN 
OTHERS.
UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS SOMETHING 
WE ARE GRAPPLING WITH.
WE ARE TRYING TO HELP AS MANY 
PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE NO 
REVENUE AND ARE UNABLE TO MAKE 
THE 25% RENT, THEY STILL HAVE 
ACCESS TO THAT $10,000 OF 
FORGIVABLE LOANS WITH A TOTAL OF
$40,000 AVAILABLE FROM THE 
BANKS.
THAT $10,000 ACTUALLY REPRESENTS
AN AVERAGE MONTH'S RENT FOR A 
SMALL BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY, 
WHICH MEANS A QUARTER OF THAT 
CAN ACTUALLY LAST FOR FOUR 
MONTHS.
THIS IS AID THAT WE'VE GIVEN TO 
SMALL BUSINESSES, MADE AVAILABLE
WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO INDEBT 
THEMSELVES FURTHER, TO TRY AND 
ENSURE WE GET THROUGH THIS WITH 
AS MANY OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES 
THAT ARE THE MOTORS OF OUR 
ECONOMY, PRINCIPAL EMPLOYERS 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, GET THROUGH 
THIS DIFFICULT TIME AND COME 
BACK STRONG AFTERWARDS.
>> Operator: THANK YOU.
NEXT QUESTION ADAM YURIS, 
"NEW BRUNSWICK TELEGRAPH."
>> Question: THANK YOU.
THE PREMIER BLAIR HIGGS SAYS 
EMPLOYERS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET 
EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO WORK, 
SUGGESTING IT IS A REPERCUSSION 
OF THE CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE
BENEFIT.
ARE THERE CONCERNS CANADIANS MAY
WANT TO STAY HOME AND COLLECT 
BENEFITS AND NOT RETURN TO WORK 
AND WAS THIS THOUGHT OF WHEN THE
PLAN ROLLED OUT?
>> Answer: WE ARE FACING ONE OF 
THE LARGEST HEALTH CRISES, THE 
LARGEST ECONOMIC CRISIS OF OUR 
LIFETIME.
CANADIANS NEED HELP.
THEY NEED HELP PAYING THEIR 
RENT.
THEY NEED HELP BUYING GROCERIES.
THEY NEED HELP CARING FOR THEIR 
LOVED ONES.
THEY'VE LOST THEIR PAYCHEQUES.
THEY'VE SEEN THEMSELVES VERY, 
VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT THEIR OWN 
HEALTH, ABOUT THEIR PARENTS' 
HEALTH, ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.
WE NEEDED TO HELP CANADIANS AND 
WE DID EXACTLY THAT.
HELPING CANADIANS RIGHT ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY GET THROUGH THIS 
PANDEMIC IS NOT JUST ABOUT 
GENEROSITY, IT'S ABOUT MAKING 
SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO THE 
THINGS NECESSARY IN EVERY HOME 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO BE ABLE TO
KEEP THIS COUNTRY SAFE AND TO 
MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN ECONOMY 
THAT CAN REBUILD QUICKLY 
AFTERWARDS.
THIS GOVERNMENT WILL HELP 
CANADIANS WHO NEED HELP, PERIOD.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] WE ARE CURRENTLY 
EXPERIENCING AN UNPRECEDENTED 
SITUATION, A VERY SERIOUS 
SITUATION, A PUBLIC HEALTH 
CRISIS, AN ECONOMIC CRISIS AS 
WELL.
CANADIANS RIGHT ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY NEED SUPPORT.
THEY NEED HELP TO PAY THEIR 
RENT.
THEY NEED HELP TO BUY GROCERIES 
OR TO LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN 
OR GRANDPARENTS.
WE ARE IN A SITUATION NOW WHERE 
WE MUST HELP PEOPLE SO THEY CAN 
MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND 
STAY HOME AND WAIT UNTIL THIS 
CRISIS IS OVER.
THAT IS OUR PRIORITY.
THAT'S WHO WE ARE IN CANADA.
WE ARE THERE FOR EACH OTHER AND 
WE HELP EACH OTHER.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET 
THROUGH THIS CRISIS TOGETHER AND
HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT BOUNCES 
BACK AFTERWARDS.
THAT'S WHO WE ARE, BEING THERE 
FOR EACH OTHER.
[end of translation]. 
>> Question: PREMIER HIGGS SAYS 
HE FEARS THE EQUALIZATION 
PAYMENTS THAT SOME PROVINCES 
HAVE COME TO RELY ON WILL BE 
LESS LUCRATIVE AS SO-CALLED HALF
PROVINCES STRUGGLE MORE THAN 
EVER.
CAN YOU ASSURE THE PROVINCES 
THAT THERE WILL NOT BE AN EFFECT
ON EQUALIZATION?
>> Answer: EQUALIZATION HAS A 
FORMULA THAT HAS WORKED RIGHT 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CANADIANS 
RECEIVE THE SERVICES THEY ARE 
ENTITLED TO RIGHT ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY AND WE SUPPORT THAT 
STRONGLY.
>> Question: [Speaking French] 
[Voice of Interpreter] WHEN YOU 
LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN 
THESE SENIORS' HOMES NOW, DO YOU
REGRET THAT YOU WERE NOT MORE 
GENEROUS WITH HEALTH TRANSFERS?
THE PROVINCES WERE ASKING FOR A 
5% INCREASE.
DO YOU NOW REGRET THAT YOU WERE 
NOT MORE GENEROUS?
>> Answer: WELL, I THINK WE 
ALWAYS HAVE TO REFLECT ON WHAT'S
HAPPENING IN THE SENIORS' HOMES.
NO PERHAPS WE SHOULD HAVE A 
DISCUSSION AS TO WHETHER OUR 
SENIORS' HOMES SHOULD BE PART OF
THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND 
GOVERNED UNDER THE CANADA HEALTH
ACT.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF 
SUGGESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE 
AND A NUMBER OF DISCUSSIONS WE 
CAN HAVE IN THE COMING MONTHS, 
BUT FOR THE TIME BEING MY 
PRIORITY IS TO HELP THE PEOPLE 
THAT ARE SUFFERING NOW AND 
THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO.
>> Question: DO YOU THINK THAT 
COULD COME UP AGAINST RESISTANCE
FROM THE PROVINCES, SINCE THIS 
IS THEIR AREA OF JURISDICTION?
AND IF YOU DID THAT, WOULD THERE
BE CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO 
THE USE OF THAT MONEY?
>> Answer: WELL, THAT'S A VERY 
GOOD QUESTION AND THESE ARE 
QUESTIONS WE WILL BE LOOKING AT 
IN OUR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE 
PROVINCES.
WE ARE A FEDERATION.
WE HAVE TO ADAPT TO THE 
REALITIES OF EACH NEW SITUATION 
AND THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.
WE ARE RESOLUTE IN OUR DESIRE TO
HELP OUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND TO 
CARE FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND
THAT'S WHAT WE WILL BE WORKING 
TOGETHER TO DO.
THERE WILL BE A LOT OF 
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION ONCE 
THIS PANDEMIC IS OVER, BUT FOR 
NOW WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO 
ENSURE WE ARE LOOKING AFTER ALL 
CANADIANS.
[end of translation]. 
>> Question: GOOD MORNING, PRIME
MINISTER.
SALIMAH SHIVJI, CBC NEWS.
I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT COORDINATING WITH 
REOPENING PROVINCES.
YOU TALKED ABOUT GUIDELINES.
WHAT KIND OF GUIDELINES ARE YOU 
TALKING ABOUT AND WOULD YOU EVER
GO SO FAR TO TELL A PROVINCE NOT
TO REOPEN?
>> Answer: I THINK WE ALL 
UNDERSTAND THAT THE GAINS WE 
HAVE MADE CONTROLLING COVID-19 
TO THIS POINT HAVE COME BECAUSE 
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY 
DILIGENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY 
ABOUT STAYING HOME AND NOT 
WORKING UNLESS IT'S ESSENTIAL 
AND NOT GOING OUT UNLESS IT'S 
ESSENTIAL, TO PROTECT ESSENTIAL 
WORKERS AND TO PREVENT THE 
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FROM BEING 
OVERLOADED.
THAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
WE ALSO HAVE SEEN THAT BECAUSE 
OF THAT SUCCESS WE CAN NOW TALK 
ABOUT GRADUALLY OR CAREFULLY 
REOPENING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN 
CERTAIN SECTORS, BUT WE HAVE TO 
BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL.
THAT'S WHY WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE 
PROVINCES IS A SET OF PRINCIPLES
AND ELEMENTS THAT SHOULD BE IN 
PLACE AND SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AS 
PROVINCES MAKE THE DECISIONS ON 
HOW AND WHAT THEY WILL REOPEN, 
WHEN, AND IF EVEN.
THINGS LIKE ENSURING PROPER 
LEVELS OF TESTING ACROSS THE 
PROVINCE AND CONTACT TRACING.
BUT OTHER THINGS LIKE ENSURING 
WORKPLACE SAFETY.
IF PEOPLE WORK IN CUBICLES, IF 
THEY WORK IN A START-UP WITH 
BEAN BAGS OR ON A SHOP FLOOR OR 
A FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY, WHAT
ARE THE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO
KEEP THEM SAFE.
THESE ARE PRINCIPLES TO MAKE 
SURE THAT WORKPLACES REOPEN AND 
ARE SAFE WITH HEALTH NORMS.
WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE WILL BE
UP TO THE PROVINCES AND THE 
LOCAL JURISDICTIONS TO 
DETERMINE.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE 
LOOK AT ECONOMIC REOPENING, WE 
ARE GROUNDING OURSELVES IN THE 
PRINCIPLES THAT WILL ENSURE THAT
WE DON'T ALLOW FOR FURTHER 
SPREAD OR A NEW SPIKE OF 
COVID-19.
IF THERE ARE CASES THAT START TO
RESURGE, THAT IS LIKELY TO 
HAPPEN HERE AND THERE, THAT WE 
ARE ABLE TO MANAGE CONTROL 
RAPIDLY.
>> Question: WE GOT MORE DETAILS
ON THE NOVA SCOTIA SHOOTING AND 
THE TIMELINE OF THE GUNMAN.
WE ARE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A 
CALL TO THE RCMP AND THEY WERE 
INFORMED THAT HE WAS WEARING A 
UNIFORM AND DRIVING AN IDENTICAL
POLICE CAR.
STILL THERE WAS NO ALERT.
DO YOU SEE THAT AS A FAILURE OF 
THE RCMP?
>> Answer: RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO 
BE THERE FOR THE PEOPLE OF NOVA 
SCOTIA AND TO THE FAMILIES AND 
FRIENDS THAT ARE GRIEVING.
PART OF THAT SUPPORT NEEDS TO BE
ANSWERING THEIR MANY, MANY 
QUESTIONS.
QUESTIONS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED 
DURING THE INCIDENT AND WHAT 
HAPPENED TO THEIR LOVED ONES, 
BUT ALSO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 
POLICE RESPONSE AND WHAT EXACTLY
HAPPENED AND WHAT COULD HAVE 
HAPPENED DIFFERENTLY OR BETTER.
THOSE QUESTIONS ARE THINGS WE 
WILL NEED TO ANSWER AND WE'RE 
GOING TO WORK VERY HARD TO 
ENSURE THAT THOSE QUESTIONS ARE 
ANSWERED.
>> Question: IAN WOODS, CTV 
NEWS.
THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS IN 
HALIFAX AND THE SHOOTINGS THAT 
TOOK PLACE ACROSS THE PROVINCE, 
IT TOOK OVER 12 HOURS TO 
APPREHEND THE SHOOTER.
THE RCMP HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS IS 
A DIFFICULT SITUATION TO BE IN.
ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THE RCMP 
IS ADEQUATELY RESOURCED IN RURAL
COMMUNITIES?
>> Answer: I THINK THESE ARE 
QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING 
TO BE ASKING RIGHT NOW IN NOVA 
SCOTIA, BUT INDEED ALL ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY.
THEY ARE QUESTIONS THAT WE DON'T
HAVE THE ANSWERS TO YET.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY 
WHAT HAPPENED, UNDERSTAND HOW 
THE RESPONSE WAS, UNDERSTAND 
WHERE THE RESPONSE COULD HAVE 
BEEN BETTER WITH DIFFERENT 
RESOURCES AND PROTOCOLS IN 
PLACE.
AND ENSURE THAT AS FROM ANY 
TRAGEDY OF THIS SCALE, WE LEARN 
AND WE IMPROVE TO MAKE SURE THAT
IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
>> Question: MANY OF THE 
FINANCIAL AID MEASURES THAT HAVE
BEEN ANNOUNCED SO FAR, WHETHER 
THEY BE PERSONAL OR FOR 
BUSINESS, HAVE ONLY BEEN 
COMMITTED AT THIS POINT THROUGH 
JUNE, BUT WITH NO END OF THE 
RESTRICTIONS BEING LOOSENED, YOU
YOURSELF JUST SAID EARLIER THAT 
WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.
SHOULD PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES 
EXPECT THOSE AID MEASURES TO BE 
EXTENDED OR WILL THEY BE ON 
THEIR OWN COME SUMMER?
>> Answer: AS WE'VE SEEN FROM 
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, 
THERE IS A LOT OF REFLECTION ON 
HOW WE REOPEN THE ECONOMY AND 
WHETHER IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY.
WHETHER THERE'S A SCALING DOWN 
OF CERTAIN MEASURES OR WHETHER 
SOME MEASURES NEED TO CONTINUE 
FOR MANY MORE MONTHS.
THESE ARE REFLECTIONS THAT WE 
WILL ENGAGE IN WITH CANADIANS 
AND BUSINESSES OVER THE COMING 
MONTHS, AS WE LOOK AT REOPENING 
AND REMAINING CLOSE AND VIGILANT
IN OTHER AREAS.
THE SITUATION IS ONGOING.
AS WE HAVE BEEN FROM THE VERY 
BEGINNING, WE WILL ADJUST AND 
ADAPT TO WHAT WE SEE ACTUALLY 
HAPPENING.
WE WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT 
CANADIANS IN THE RIGHT AWAY, IN 
ENSURING WE GET THROUGH THIS 
HEALTH CRISIS AND IN ENSURING WE
COME BACK STRONGLY IN TERMS OF 
THE ECONOMY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
THE ONLY WAY TO BE ABLE TO DO 
THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT FOR 
NOW AND FOR THE COMING WEEKS WE 
REMAIN EXTREMELY VIGILANT AND WE
KEEP UP WITH THE SOCIAL 
DISTANCING RULES. 
>> Question: BRIAN MULLAN, 
GLOBAL NEWS.
PRIME MINISTER, FOLLOWING THE 
RENT QUESTIONS, SOME BUSINESSES 
HAVE SAID IT IS TOO LITTLE TOO 
LATE AND THEY HAVE HAD TO CLOSE.
HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU THE IMPACT
OF THIS WILL BE LONG-TERM FOR 
SOME SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY?
>> Answer: WE MOVED FORWARD ON 
CREDIT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES 
QUICKLY.
WE TRIED TO MAKE SURE THROUGH 
THE CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
BENEFIT AND THE WAGE SUBSIDY, 
THAT THERE BE RESPONSES TO 
BUSINESSES AND TO WORKERS AS 
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW 
THEM TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR 
THEIR GROCERIES AND RENT AT 
HOME.
WE KNOW THAT THE ACCESS TO 
CREDIT AND SUPPORT FOR THE RENT 
IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT, BUT WE
ALSO SEE THAT THIS IS THE 
GREATEST ECONOMIC IMPACT AND 
EVENT OF OUR LIFETIMES.
IT IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY 
DIFFICULT.
FIRST OF ALL, OUR ECONOMY AND 
OUR BUSINESSES WERE IN EXCELLENT
SHAPE BEFORE.
THE SERVICES THAT WERE NEEDED.
THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAD AS A 
COUNTRY WERE GOING VERY, VERY 
WELL.
THIS IS AN EVENT THAT HAS PUT US
INTO A DEEP FREEZE, PUT US INTO 
HIBERNATION, AS IT WERE, AND 
EVERYONE HAD TO STOP AND HOLD 
WHILE WE LET THIS WAVE OF 
COVID-19 PASS THROUGH.
OUR ABILITY TO HOLD DEPENDS ON 
MANY THINGS, INCLUDING 
GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO SUPPORT 
PEOPLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE 
WILL BE THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT 
AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF OUR 
BUSINESSES WILL BE ABLE TO 
BOUNCE BACK AFTERWARDS.
WE ARE WORKING TO TRY TO GET 
HELP OUT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS 
POSSIBLE.
SOME SECTORS ARE MORE HARD HIT 
THAN OTHERS, BUT WE KNOW AT THE 
END OF THIS PEOPLE WILL NEED TO 
TRAVEL FOR WORK AND PLEASURE.
PEOPLE WILL NEED TO GO TO 
RESTAURANTS.
PEOPLE WILL NEED TO BECOME 
TOURISTS AGAIN IN DIFFERENT 
PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND 
AROUND THE WORLD.
THERE ARE BUSINESSES WHO ARE 
HARDEST HIT NOW WHO WILL BE ABLE
TO RESTART LATER.
THAT IS OUR FOCUS ON TRYING TO 
GET THROUGH THIS MOMENT OF 
HIBERNATION, WHICH CANADIANS ARE
DOING QUITE WELL AS YOU WOULD 
IMAGINE.
>> Question: A FOLLOW-UP 
QUESTION ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST 
WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS.
THIS IS LOOKING BACK TO THE 
RENFREW SHOOTING IN 2015 AND 
THIS RECENT MASS SHOOTING.
WHAT CAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 
DO TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WOMEN
IN RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS AT 
RISK OF VIOLENCE?
>> Answer: WE HAVE MADE 
INVESTMENTS IN THE PAST YEARS IN
SHELTERS, FOR VICTIMS OF 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OF WOMEN 
FACING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.
WE'VE MOVED FORWARD WITH A 
GENDER-BASED STRATEGY.
WE'RE LOOKING AT STRONGER GUN 
CONTROL MEASURES THAT WILL 
INCLUDE RED FLAG LAWS, THAT WILL
GIVE PEOPLE THE CAPACITY NOT 
ONLY TO REMOVE GUNS BUT TO 
PREVENT PEOPLE ACQUIRING NEW 
GUNS IF THERE ARE ISSUES AROUND 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
BUT WE RECOGNIZE THERE IS SO 
MUCH MORE TO DO.
THAT IS WHY AS A GOVERNMENT AND 
AS CANADIANS, WE NEED TO 
CONTINUALLY PLEDGE OURSELVES TO 
BE ALLIES AND SOLUTIONS IN THE 
FIGHT AGAINST GENDER-BASED 
VIOLENCE.
>> Rosemary: THAT IS THE PRIME 
MINISTER OF CANADA WITH HIS 
DAILY COVID-19 BRIEFING.
YOU COULD SEE THERE ON THE TREES
BEHIND HIM, A TOUCH OF NOVA 
SCOTIA TARTAN TO COMMEMORATE THE
VICTIMS LOST LAST WEEKEND 
BECAUSE THERE IS A VIRTUAL VIGIL
THIS EVENING.
LET'S BRING IN VASSY KAPELOS AND
CATHARINE CULLEN TO SPEAK WHAT 
THE PRIME MINISTER HAD TO SAY.
VASSY, I'LL LET YOU GO FIRST.
>> Vassy: THE ANNOUNCEMENT 
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BY SMALL 
BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE WORRIED 
ABOUT HAVING TO PAY RENT IN A 
FEW DAYS' TIME OR ON MAY 1.
THIS WILL ALLOW COMMERCIAL 
PROPERTY OWNERS TO REDUCE THE 
RENT SO THE BUSINESS OWNER IS 
ONLY PAYING A QUARTER OF IT.
OTHER THAN THAT, THEY'LL PROVIDE
FORGIVABLE LOANS TO THE 
LANDLORD, ABOUT HALF OF THE 
REMAINING BALANCE IN ORDER FOR 
THE OVERALL RENT TO BE REDUCED, 
BUT SPECIFICALLY THE RENT FOR 
THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER TO BE 
REDUCED.
THE KEY TAKE-AWAY IS WHO 
QUALIFIES.
SO YOU HAVE TO PAY LESS THAN 
$50,000 IN RENT AND ALSO HAS TO 
SHOW THAT THEIR REVENUES HAVE 
DROPPED BY 70%.
THE PRIME MINISTER SIGNALLED 
THAT THERE WOULD BE ADDITIONAL 
HELP COMING FOR BIGGER 
BUSINESSES WHERE RENT IS HIGHER 
THAN $50,000.
HE DIDN'T SPECIFIC WHAT THAT 
RENT WOULD BE.
FOR ME THE BIG TAKE-AWAY AND 
OUTSTANDING QUESTIONS IS HOW 
FAST WILL THIS WORK AND CAN THE 
MONEY GET OUT THE DOOR.
THERE WERE QUESTIONS TO THE 
PRIME MINISTER FROM BUSINESSES 
WHO ALREADY HAD TO CLOSE BECAUSE
THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO PAY THEIR 
APRIL 1 RENT.
IN THIS PROVINCE, ONTARIO, IF 
YOU DIDN'T PAY THAT RENT, THE 
LANDLORDS COULD KICK YOU OUT BY 
APRIL 16.
THE LANDLORDS NEED THAT RENT TO 
PAY THEIR MORTGAGE.
THIS IS A CYCLICAL THING AND 
WILL BE WELCOME NEWS FOR 
BUSINESSES WORRIED ABOUT THIS 
VERY SPECIFIC ISSUE, BUT IT WILL
DEPEND ON HOW FAST THAT MONEY 
CAN GET OUT THE DOOR. 
>> Rosemary: AS I SAID, BECAUSE 
THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE LOAN, 
THE $40,000, $10,000 OF WHICH 
WOULD BE FORGIVABLE, YOU CAN 
IMAGINE THAT THE OWNER OF THE 
BUSINESS COULD GO RENT FREE FOR 
A PERIOD OF TIME IF THEY ARE 
ABLE TO TAP INTO THE LOAN AS 
WELL EVEN IF THEY'RE HAVING 
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.
CATHARINE, I'LL GET YOU TO WEIGH
IN ON THIS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE
WORKING ON IT TODAY.
I'M STRUCK THAT THEY WERE ABLE 
TO COME UP WITH A DEAL WITH THE 
PROVINCES BECAUSE THIS IS 
PROVINCIAL JURISDICTION AND THEY
DID MANAGE TO GET THAT DONE 
RELATIVELY QUICKLY.
>> Catherine: A LOT OF 
DISCUSSION ABOUT FEDERAL AND 
PROVINCIAL JURISDICTION.
ANOTHER THING THE PRIME MINISTER
RAISED THERE A TOP-UP FOR 
ESSENTIAL WORKERS, WHICH IS 
GOING TO BE A KEY ELEMENT IN 
TRYING TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION 
IN LONG-TERM CARE HOMES IN 
PARTICULAR.
THE PRIME MINISTER SIGNALLING 
THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE STILL 
UNDERWAY OF HOW THAT WOULD WORK.
THE PROVINCES WILL HAVE QUITE A 
BIT SAY IN WHO IS DEEMED AN 
ESSENTIAL WORKERS, BUT OBVIOUSLY
LONG-TERM CARE WORKERS, THOSE 
FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE, WOULD BE
RECEIVING THIS MONEY.
YESTERDAY WE HEARD SCOTT MOE, 
THE SASKATCHEWAN PREMIER, 
OUTLINING HIS PROVINCE'S 
FIVE-PHASE PLAN FOR REOPENING.
WE ARE EXPECTING TO HEAR FROM 
PREMIER BLAIR HIGGS WHO HAVE A 
FOUR-PHASE PLAN.
THE PRIME MINISTER SAYING THERE 
ARE GOING TO BE GUIDELINES, 
ELEMENTS HE SAID, THAT THEY HOPE
THAT THE WHOLE COUNTRY CAN AGREE
ON IN TERMS OF WHERE THE 
STANDARDS ARE FOR HOW THIS 
REOPENING HAPPENS.
HE WAS ASKED BY OUR COLLEAGUE 
SALIMAH SHIVJI WHETHER OR NOT 
ANYTHING IS GOING TO BE HAND 
TORY WAS THE GIST OF THE 
QUESTION.
HE SAID THERE ARE PRINCIPLES AND
ELEMENTS THAT SHOULD BE IN PLACE
AND SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.
SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW THAT BALANCE IS STRUCK 
BETWEEN WHAT THE FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FOR HERE 
AND WHAT THE PROVINCES WANT TO 
DO. 
>> Rosemary: YEAH, BECAUSE THE 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN SAY 
THINGS AND GIVE GUIDANCE.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THE PROVINCES 
NEED TO FOLLOW THAT TO THE 
LETTER.
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU, VASSY 
AND CATHARINE.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE 
PRIME MINISTER STARTED HIS 
BRIEFING.
I'M NOW TALKING ABOUT NOVA 
SCOTIA.
THERE WILL BE AN ONLINE VIGIL 
TONIGHT TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS.
WE REACHED CORY TINNY, FROM A 
COMMUNITY THAT NEIGHBOURS 
PORTAPIQUE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> Interview: THANKS FOR HAVING 
US.
>> Rosemary: LOTS OF PEOPLE 
ARE -- I DON'T KNOW IF LOOKING 
FORWARD IS THE RIGHT WORD, BUT 
PEOPLE ARE ANTICIPATING THIS 
TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE 
DESPERATE TO CONNECT WITH ONE 
ANOTHER NOW.
TELL ME WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT 
AND WHY YOU WANTED TO DO IT.
>> Interview: SURE.
TONIGHT'S EVENT IS GOING TO 
CONSIST OF MESSAGES FROM 
POLITICAL FIGURES AS WELL AS 
SPIRITUAL LEADERS, MUSICIANS AND
CELEBRITIES.
THE REASON I GUESS IS THERE IS A
GROUP OF US, SEVERAL DEDICATED 
VOLUNTEERS, WHO HAVE BEEN 
WORKING TOGETHER TO PUT THIS 
TOGETHER FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE 
PROVINCE, THE COUNTRY, BUT 
ESPECIALLY THE FAMILIES.
>> Rosemary: HOW IMPORTANT DO 
YOU THINK THIS WILL BE, GIVEN 
THE FACT THAT NO ONE CAN REALLY 
GET TOGETHER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE 
OF THE PANDEMIC?
>> Interview: EXTREMELY.
IT'S VITAL.
TYPICALLY WE WOULD BE GATHERING 
TOGETHER AT CHURCHES AND 
COMMUNITY CENTRES, BUT WE CAN'T 
RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR US TO 
COME TOGETHER FOR AN HOUR AND A 
HALF TO CELEBRATE THE LIVES OF 
THESE FANTASTIC PEOPLE AND TO 
HELP OUR COMMUNITY START TO 
HEAL.
>> Rosemary: YOU SAID YOU'RE 
GOING TO HAVE SOME CELEBRITIES.
I WOULD NOT BE DOING MY JOB AS A
JOURNALIST IF I DIDN'T ASK YOU 
TO GIVE US SOME OF A HINT ABOUT 
WHO WE MIGHT HEAR FROM OR WHO 
WOULD HAVE A MESSAGE FOR NOVA 
SCOTIA?
>> Interview: I WOULD LOVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO THAT.
I JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO 
JOIN US AND TUNE IN AND WE CAN 
CELEBRATE TOGETHER.
>> Rosemary: YOU'RE GOOD AT YOUR
JOB IF YOU'RE NOT ANSWERING.
LET ME GET A SENSE -- I KNOW 
YOU'RE A COMMUNITY OVER FROM 
PORTAPIQUE.
I DON'T KNOW THE REGION VERY 
WELL, BUT BRETT RUSKIN IS 
PAINTING THE PICTURE OF THE 
PLACE FOR US.
HOW ARE PEOPLE DOING, GIVEN THE 
COMMUNITY AND THE WAY THEY LIVE 
TOGETHER?
>> Interview: I DON'T -- I THINK
WE'RE STILL IN A STATE OF SHOCK 
HERE.
WE HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO PROCESS 
THIS.
IT'S BEEN A MATTER OF DAYS.
THAT'S ALL I CAN REALLY SAY.
I MEAN, DEVASTATION.
I HOPE THE VIGIL TONIGHT WILL BE
THE START OF A HEALING PROCESS, 
BUT TIME WILL TELL.
>> Rosemary: DID YOU KNOW ANYONE
THAT WAS KILLED, TORY?
IS THAT PART OF WHY YOU WANTED 
TO DO THIS?
>> Interview: IN THESE 
COMMUNITIES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO 
LOOK FORWARD TO CONNECT PEOPLE.
MY PERSONAL REASONS ARE JUST I 
HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH 
THIS AMAZING GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS
AND I JUST COULDN'T SAY NO TO 
THAT.
IT JUST WENT FROM THERE.
 I'M HONOURED TO BE A PART OF 
IT.
>> Rosemary: WE'RE PLEASED 
YOU'RE DOING IT.
OUR THANKS TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS
WHO PUT THIS TOGETHER SO 
QUICKLY.
IT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT MOMENT 
FOR NOVA SCOTIA AND THE ENTIRE 
COUNTRY.
TORY PHINNEY, THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT.
TORY PHINNEY IS ONE OF THE 
ORGANIZERS OF THE VIGIL.
DON'T FORGET YOU WILL BE ABLE TO
WATCH IT LIVE HERE ON CBC NEWS 
NETWORK AS WELL AS CBC 
THROUGHOUT THE ATLANTIC 
PROVINCES.
IT STARTS AT 7:00 P.M. ATLANTIC 
TIME, 6:00 P.M. EASTERN.
MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN FOR THAT.
I'M ROSEMARY BARTON.
CONTINUING COVERAGE ON CBC NEWS 
NETWORK AND cbcnews.ca.
[ Please Stand By ]
-- THERE'S A DETAILED TIMELINE
ON HOW THE SHOOTING RAMPAGE
PLAYED OUT THAT LEFT 22 PEOPLE
DEAD LAST WEEKEND.
IT INCLUDES CHILLING DETAILS HOW
THE GUNMAN WAS ABLE TO CARRY OUT
THOSE KILLINGS AND ELUDE LAW
ENFORCEMENT FOR 13 HOURS UNTIL
HE WAS THEN KILLED BY THE RCMP.
ALL OF THIS, OF COURSE, AS THE
RCMP CONTINUE TO FACE QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE RESPONSE AND WHY THE
EMERGENCY ALERT WAS NOT
ACTIVATED.
WE'LL ALSO AS I MENTIONED
EARLIER TALK ABOUT THAT VIRTUAL
VIGIL FOR 6:00 p.m. EASTERN
TIME.
LET'S BRING IN CBC'S BRETT
RUSKIN IN PORTAPIQUE AGAIN TODAY
TO GO THROUGH WHAT WE FOUND OUT
FROM THE RCMP.
THERE WERE LOTS OF SORT OF --
SORT OF JAW-DROPPING DETAILS,
BRETT.
IN PARTICULAR, WE NOW KNOW THAT
THE FACT THAT THE GUNMAN WAS
DRESSED AS A POLICE OFFICER AND
HAD AN RCMP VEHICLE CERTAINLY
SEEMED TO ALLOW HIM TO ELUDE
POLICE AND RESULTED IN OTHER
DEATHS.
>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT.
SO, I MEAN, LET ME SITUATE US TO
WHERE WE ARE HERE FIRST OF ALL.
THE POLICE BLOCKADE THERE,
THAT'S THE ONE ROAD TO
PORTAPIQUE, NOVA SCOTIA AND YOU
CAN SEE A MEMORIAL WITH PEOPLE
GATHERING TO LAY FLOWERS AND
NOTES FOR THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES.
IT WAS DOWN THIS ROADWAY THAT
THIS ALL BEGAN.
AND THERE WERE PERIMETERS SET UP
BY THE RCMP AND THIS BEING ONE
ROAD THERE MAY HAVE BEEN ONE
HERE AND ANOTHER INTERSECTION
DOWN THE ROAD FROM THERE THAT
COULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER SET
WHERE A PERIMETER WAS SET UP.
WE HEARD FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
THAT IN HIS 30 YEARS OF POLICING
THAT HE CAN'T THINK OF ANYMORE
HORRIFIC OF A CIRCUMSTANCES THAN
LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO LOOKS
LIKE YOU.
THAT'S WHAT OFFICERS WERE DOING.
THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR A
SHOOTER WHO LOOKED LIKE THEM IN
THEIR UNIFORM, IN THEIR POLICE
CAR.
IT MUST -- IT PERHAPS ASSISTED
THEM OR FACILITATED HIS ESCAPE
FROM THOSE PERIMETERS BECAUSE HE
WAS IN THAT CAR.
THAT IS A POSSIBILITY IF THERE'S
CARS GOING AROUND AND YOU HEARD
THAT THERE WERE 25 UNITS THAT UT
RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND HERE
WE HEARD THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN
GOING THROUGH A FIELD AT ONE
POINT, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE
SUSPECT.
THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SHOOTER
AS WELL.
>> Rosemary: AND WE CERTAINLY
KNOW THAT WHEN HE WAS
APPREHENDED HE WAS NO LONGER IN
THAT VEHICLE AND NO LONGER IN
THE UNIFORM WHICH HE HAD
DISCARDED.
SO THAT ALSO BECAME PART OF HOW
THEY CAPTURED AND KILLED THE
GUNMAN, TOO, BRETT?
>> Reporter: HE DIDN'T HAVE
THE VEHICLE -- BUT I WANTED TO
MENTION ONE MORE FACT ABOUT THE
FACT THAT HE HAD THESE CLOTHING
AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE.
THE RCMP VEHICLE.
BECAUSE WE HAD HEARD RUMOURS
ABOUT THIS BUT IT WAS CONFIRMED
IN THIS NEWS CONFERENCE THAT AT
LEAST ONE SITUATION AND, AGAIN,
WITH A POLICE OFFICER HIMSELF,
HE PULLED SOMEONE OVER, USING
HIS REPLICA POLICE CAR, WALKED
UP TO THAT PERSON AS IF THEY
WERE BEING PULLED OVER BY A
GENUINE AUTHENTIC POLICE
OFFICER, AND WALKED UP TO THEIR
WINDOW AND SHOT THEM IN THEIR
CAR.
SO JUST HORRIFIC DETAILS THAT
WE'RE HEARING.
AND THE POLICE CAR THAT HE WAS
DRIVING, THE REPLICA POLICE CAR,
WAS THEN SWAPPED OUT AND HE TOOK
A SILVER S.U.V. AND THEN A THIRD
VEHICLE, WHICH WAS A MAZDA WHICH
HE ACQUIRED BY KILLING THE
OCCUPANT OF THAT VEHICLE, A
54-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM
SCHUBANACADIE AND WENT TO NEAR
THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HERE
AND THAT IS WHERE HE ENCOUNTERED
AN OFFICER WHO SPOTTED HIM,
RECOGNISED HIM, AND THEN OPENED
FIRE AND KILLED HIM THERE IN
THAT GAS STATION.
THAT IS HOW ALL OF THIS WRAPPED
UP AFTER, AGAIN, 14 HOURS OF
THIS MANHUNT THAT BEGAN HERE AND
ENDED FAR AWAY, NEARLY 100
KILOMETRES AWAY, IN NOVA SCOTIA
IN ENFIELD.
>> Rosemary: BRETT RUSKIN
AGAIN IN PORTAPIQUE, NOVA
SCOTIA, THANK YOU, BRETT.
I APPRECIATE IT.
AND LET'S HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE
THINGS THAT STOOD OUT TO ME
BECAUSE THEY'RE QUESTIONS THAT
MAY COME UP AS WELL.
FIRST OF ALL, THAT ONE OF THE
GUNS, ONE OF THE WEAPONS THAT
THE GUNMAN USED WAS TRACED BACK
TO CANADA.
BUT OTHERS SEEM TO HAVE BEEN
FROM THE UNITED STATES.
SO THERE WERE QUESTIONS HOW HE
WAS ABLE TO GET THEME HERE FROM
THE UNITED STATES.
AND THE RCMP IS SUGGESTING TODAY
THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE A LIST
OF INDIVIDUALS THAT THE GUNMAN
WAS TARGETING BECAUSE HE WENT TO
PARTICULAR HOMES AND KNOCKED ON
THE DOOR, INCLUDING ONE HOME
WHERE THEY WOULD NOT LET HIM IN.
AND SO THEY TALKED A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
AND THERE WERE ALSO QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE EMERGENCY ALERT,
AGAIN, THE RCMP SAYING THEY HAD
BELIEVED THEY HAD CONTAINED THE
AREA WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE AS
WE NOW KNOW.
WE'LL CONTINUE THAT COVERAGE
THROUGH THE DAY AND ON TO THE
VIGIL LATER TONIGHT.
LET'S BRING IN KATHERINE CULLEY
AND VASSY KAPELOS AS WE WAIT FOR
THE FEDERAL MINISTERS.
VASSY, I KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE
PART OF THE VIGIL LATER ON.
AND LET ME GET YOU TO QUICKLY
WEIGH IN ON THE ISSUE THERE IS L
RESONATE WITH QUESTIONS ON THE
FEDERAL LEVEL, THE GUNS ARE
CERTAINLY IMPORTANT AND THE
EMERGENCY ALERT AS WELL.
>> Reporter: YEAH, THE
EMERGENCY ALERT FOR SURE.
WE HEARD FROM THE RCMP TODAY
THAT AT THE TIME THEY FELT THAT
THE SUSPECT DEAD OR ALIVE WAS
WITHIN THE PERIMETER THEY HAD
SECURED BUT THAT ALERT,
THEREFORE, DIDN'T GO OUT AND IT
CAME OUT ON TWITTER.
SO STILL QUESTIONS ON THAT.
AND ALSO ACCOUNTABILITY
QUESTIONS THAT YOU HEARD AT THE
END OF THE PRESSER THERE WITH
THE PRIME MINISTER AROUND
RESOURCES, RURAL RESOURCES WITH
THE RCMP.
AND THAT'S A SHARED JURISDICTION
BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AND THE PROVINCE AND IT TOOK ME
ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO LOOK UP A
STUDY THAT THE COMMITTEE DID ON
PUBLIC SAFETY LOOKING INTO THAT
ISSUE.
THAT FIRMLY ESTABLISHED THAT
RESOURCES THERE WERE WANTING.
GOING AHEAD WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF
THE DETAILS BUT THOSE WILL
PERSIST AS QUESTIONS TOO.
>> Rosemary: I'LL TURN AWAY
AND BRING US TO THE FEDERAL
BRIEFING LED BY DEPUTY PRIME
MINISTER CHRYSTIA FREELAND.
LET'S BRING THAT TO YOU NOW
LIVE.
>> The Hon. Chyrstia Freeland:
WE ARE GOING TO END THIS PRESS
CONFERENCE AT 1:00 p.m. SHARP,
INDEED, A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE
1:00 p.m. IN ORDER TO OBSERVE
A MINUTE OF SILENCE TO HONOUR
AND MOURN THE VICTIMS OF THE
NOVA SCOTIA SHOOTING.
OKAY, DR. TAM, PLEASE.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
AND BONJOUR.
(Voice of Translator): HELLO,
EVERYONE.
[end of translation]
I HAVE THE LATEST NUMBERS ON THE
NUMBERS, THERE'S 4,750 CONFIRMED
CASES, INCLUDING 2,179 DEATHS.
TO DATE, LABS ACROSS CANADA HAVE
TESTED OVER 643,000 PEOPLE, WITH
OVER 6.5% OF THESE TESTING
POSITIVE.
AS OUTBREAKS IN LONG-TERM CARE
HOMES CONTINUE TO DEFINE ONE OF
OUR BIGGEST STRUGGLES AND
DEEPEST HEARTACHES WITH
COVID-19, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT
THE WORK OF THOSE WHO HAVE
ENDURED AND THOSE WHO HAVE
RUSHED IN TO HELP.
I'D LIKE TO DO THIS IN A
PERSONAL
STORY SHARED WITH ONE OF MY
STAFF, A STORY OF MICHELLE, A
NURSE IN NOVA SCOTIA, WHO WAS
RECENTLY REASSIGNED TO CARE FOR
COVID-19 PATIENTS AT A NURSING
HOME.
TO MINIMIZE ANY RISK TO HER
FAMILY SHE'S DECIDED TO LIVE IN
A HOTEL FOR THE DURATION OF HER
WORK ASSIGNMENT.
SENSING HER UNEASE, HER THREE
CHILDREN WANTED TO GIVE HER A
BOOST AND LET THEM KNOW THAT
THEY UNDERSTOOD.
SO IN A POEM THEY, AND WITH A
LITTLE HELP FROM DAD WROTE, "MY
MOM IS A HERO, SO MAKE NO
MISTAKE, IF THE WORLD EVER NEEDS
HER, SHE'LL DO WHATEVER IT
TAKES.
WE KNOW THAT SHE WORRIES, PLEASE
DON'T, WE'RE FINE.
WE KNOW THE WORLD NEEDS A HERO,
SO IT CAN BORROW MINE."
HEALTH CARE WORKERS ACROSS
CANADA ARE GOING THE EXTRA MILE
EVERY DAY TO CARE FOR OUR MOST
VULNERABLE.
WE CANNOT LET THEIR SACRIFICE OR
THE PERSONAL RISK THEY ARE
TAKING TO BE IN VAIN.
HOWEVER, THESE WEEKS HAVE BEEN
HARD ON EVERYONE, WHETHER AT
HOME OR IN OUR SUPPLIES, AND IN
THE PHARMACIES AND IN THE FRONT
LINES OF HEALTH CARE.
NO ONE CAN MEASURE ONE PERSON'S
STRUGGLE AGAINST ANOTHER.
THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO THE
STORY.
IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING AT HOME
WITH ANXIETY, FEAR, VIOLENCE,
HOME ISSUES OR OTHER CONCERNS,
THERE'S HELP.
YOU CAN FIND A FULL RANGE OF
SUPPORTS THROUGH OUR NEW
WELLNESS TOGETHER CANADA PORTAL,
THAT IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL WELLNESS.
YOU CAN ACCESS THE PORTAL
THROUGH CANADA.CA/CORONAVIRUS
WEBSITE OR THE CANADA COVID-19
APP.
I'LL END BY PARAPHRASING
MICHELLE HERSELF, TO ALL OF OUR
ESSENTIAL SERVICE HEROES OUT
THERE, STAY SAFE.
TO EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE, PLEASE
STAY HOME AND STAY WITHIN YOUR
BUBBLE.
GIVE A HUG TO YOUR LOVED ONES.
HUG IT OUT FOR OUR HEROS AND FOR
ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE ISOLATED
WHILE THEY CANNOT HUG THEIR OWN.
STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES, CANADA.
THANK YOU.
>> The Hon. Chyrstia Freeland:
WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
DR. TAM AND THAT WAS A VERY
TOUCHING STORY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MICHELLE,
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH
ESPECIALLY MICHELLE'S THREE
CHILDREN.
YOU GUYS ARE RIGHT, YOUR MOTHER
IS A HERO AND THANK YOU FOR
GIVING HER UP AND LENDING HER TO
OTHER PEOPLE FOR A WHILE.
OKAY, [Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): AND NOW
OVER TO DR. HOWARD NJOO.
GO AHEAD, HOWARD.
>> THANK YOU.
(Voice of Translator): FIRST
OF ALL, HERE'S THE LATEST
NUMBERS ON COVID-19 IN CANADA.
THERE ARE NOW 42,750 CONFIRMED
CASES, INCLUDING 2,179 DEATHS.
TO DATE LABS ACROSS CANADA HAVE
TESTED OVER 643,000 PEOPLE.
WITH OVER 6.5% OF THESE TESTING
POSITIVE.
AS OUTBREAKS IN LONG-TERM CARE
HOMES CONTINUE TO DEFINE ONE OF
OUR BIGGEST STRUGGLES AND
DEEPEST HEARTACHES WITH
COVID-19, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT
THE WORK OF THOSE WHO HAVE
ENDURED AND THOSE WHO HAVE
RUSHED IN TO HELP.
TO DO SO I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU A
PERSONAL STORY SHARED WITH ONE
OF MY STAFF.
THIS IS THE STORY OF MICHELLE, A
NURSE IN NOVA SCOTIA WHO WAS
RECENTLY REASSIGNED TO CARE FOR
COVID-19 PATIENTS AT A NURSING
HOME.
AND TO MINIMIZE ANY RISK TO HER
FAMILY, SHE HAS DECIDED TO LIVE
IN A HOTEL FOR THE DURATION OF
HER WORK ASSIGNMENT.
SENSING HER UNEASE, HER THREE
CHILDREN WANTED TO GIVE HER A
BOOST AND LET HER KNOW THAT THEY
UNDERSTOOD.
SO IN A POEM THEY WROTE, "WITH A
LITTLE HELP FROM DAD, "MY MOM IS
A HERO SO MAKE NO MISTAKE, IF
THE WORLD EVER NEEDS HER SHE'LL
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.
WE KNOW THAT SHE WORRIES, PLEASE
DON'T, WE'RE FINE.
WE KNOW THE WORLD NEEDS A HERO,
SO IT CAN BORROW MINE."
EVERY DAY HEALTH CARE WORKERS
ACROSS CANADA ARE GOING THE
EXTRA MILE TO CARE FOR OUR MOST
VULNERABLE.
WE CANNOT LET THEIR SACRIFICE OR
THE PERSONAL RISKS THEY ARE
TAKING BE IN VAIN.
HOWEVER, THESE LAST WEEKS HAVE
BEEN HARD ON EVERYONE, WHETHER
AT HOME OR ON OUR SUPPLY ROADS,
IN GROCERY STORES, PHARMACIES,
OR ON THE FRONT LINES OF HEALTH
CARE.
NO ONE CAN MEASURE ONE PERSON'S
STRUGGLE AGAINST ANOTHER.
THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO THE
STORY.
IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING AT HOME
WITH ANXIETY, FEAR, VIOLENCE,
PROBLEMATIC SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR
OTHER CONCERNS, THERE IS HELP.
YOU CAN FIND A FULL RANGE OF
SUPPORTS THROUGH OUR NEW
"WELLNESS TOGETHER CANADA"
PORTAL THAT IS DEDICATED TO
PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR MENTAL
WELLNESS.
YOU CAN ACCESS THE PORTAL
THROUGH THE
CANADA.CA/CORONAVIRUS WEBSITE.
OR THE CANADA COVID-19 APP.
I'LL END BY PARAPHRASING
MICHELLE HERSELF.
TO ALL OF OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICE
HEROES OUT THERE, STAY SAFE.
TO EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE,
PLEASE, STAY AT HOME.
AND STAYING WITHIN YOUR BUBBLE,
GIVE A HUG TO YOUR LOVED ONES.
HUG IT OUT FOR OUR HEROES AND
FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE
ISOLATED WHILE THEY CANNOT HUG
THEIR OWN.
STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES, CANADA.
THANK YOU.
>> The Hon. Chyrstia Freeland:
AND NOW BILL MORNEAU.
BILL, PLEASE.
>> The Hon. Bill Morneau:
WELL, THANKS, CHRYSTIA, AND GOOD
AFTERNOON.
TODAY I'D LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES AND I
KNOW THAT MY COLLEAGUE WILL BE
TALKING ABOUT THE SAME SUBJECT
AFTER ME.
WE KNOW THAT SO MANY SMALL
BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN HIT SO HARD
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS
COVID-19 CRISIS.
SO WHAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT
TODAY IS A PROGRAMME THAT WILL
HELP THEM WITH THEIR RENT
PAYMENTS.
FOR THE LAST WEEK OR SO WE HAVE
BEEN WORKING TOGETHER WITH
PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL
PARTNERS TO BRING SIGNIFICANT
RELIEF TO STRUGGLING SMALL
BUSINESSES.
AND I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE
NOW HAVE AGREEMENTS IN PRINCIPLE
WITH ALL OF THE TERRITORIES AND
PROVINCES TO OFFER THE CANADA
EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL RENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME.
THROUGH THE CANADA MORTGAGE AND
HOUSING CORPORATION, WE'LL OFFER
QUALIFYING COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
OWNERS FORGIVABLE LOANS THAT
WILL COVER 50% OF IMPACTED
TENANTS' RENT.
IN EXCHANGE FOR THEM PROVIDING A
RENT REDUCTION OF AT LEAST 75%
AND AGREEING TO A MORATORIUM ON
EVICTIONS.
AND WE KNOW THAT THIS IS WORKING
TOGETHER.
WE ALL HAVE TO DO OUR PART IN
SUPPORTING THOSE WHO ARE FACING
ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS.
THE CANADA EMERGENCY RENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME IS
AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFIED PROPERTY
OWNERS WITH TENANTS THAT PAY
LESS THAN $50,000 A MONTH IN
RENT, AND THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED
AT LEAST A 70% DECREASE IN THEIR
REVENUES.
ELIGIBLE TENANTS WILL INCLUDE
SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFIT AND
CHARITABLE ORGINISATIONS.
ELIGIBLE LANDLORD WHOSE HAVE
ALREADY STEPPED UP AND OFFERED
75% OR MORE REDUCTIONS FOR APRIL
OR MAY, OR WHO WOULD LIKE TO
RETROACTIVELY DO SO CAN APPLY.
WE EXPECT THAT THIS NEW BENEFIT
WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING IN
MID-MAY.
WITH THE FIRST MONTH OF IT
AROUND THE CORNER, WE'RE ASKING
THAT LANDLORDS TRY TO BE
FLEXIBLE AS THEY WORK WITH THEIR
TENANTS IN THE COMING DAYS.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): WE NOW
HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE
WITH ALL PROVINCES AND
TERRITORIES TO OFFER EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE TO COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY OWNERS TO HELP SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN HARD
HIT BY THE CRISIS THROUGH THE
CANADIAN HOUSING AND MORTGAGE
CORPORATION.
WE WILL BE PROVIDING THE OWNERS
OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
FORGIVABLE LOANS THAT COVER 50%
OF THE RISK.
IN EXCHANGE FOR A REDUCTION IN
THAT RENT OF AT LEAST 75%.
AND THAT THOSE OWNERS ALSO AGREE
TO A MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE OFFERED TO
THE OWNERS OF COMMERCIAL
PROPERTIES WHO PAY LESS THAN
$50,000 PER MONTH IN RENT.
AND WHO HAVE SEEN A LOSS OF AT
LEAST 70% IN THEIR REVENUES.
IT INCLUDES SMALL BUSINESSES,
NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGINISATIONS AND
CHARITABLE ORGINISATIONS.
AND THE BUILDING OWNERS WHO HAVE
OFFERED THIS 75% RENT RELIEF TO
THEIR TENANTS CAN ALSO SEND IN
AN APPLICATION RETROACTIVELY.
THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE AVAILABLE
AS OF MID-MAY.
[end of translation]
THIS PROTECTS ON TOP OF THE
INTEREST-FREE BUSINESS ACCOUNT
LOANS WITH FORGIVABLE PORTIONS
OF UP TO 25%, IT'S ON TOP OF
ALSO THE CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE
SUBSIDY BENEFIT AND, OF COURSE,
IT'S IN ADDITION TO THE DEFERRAL
OF INCOME TAXES, G.S.T., H.S.T.
PAYMENTS AND CUSTOMS DUTIES.
FINALLY, WE'RE ALSO PROVIDING
SIGNIFICANT CREDIT SUPPORT
THROUGH THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
BANK AND EXPORT DEVELOPMENT BANK
OF CANADA.
AND FOR PEOPLE, THE CANADA
EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT FOR
THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE OFF FROM
WORK OR ON FURLOUGH.
OUR RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19
ECONOMIC RESPONSE PLAN IS AMONG
THE MOST AMBITIOUS AND GENEROUS
AMONG G7 COUNTRIES, BECAUSE WE
BELIEVE THAT BY TAKING ACTION
NOW WE WILL BE MORE PREPARED TO
GET OUT OF THIS CHALLENGE WHEN
WE GET THROUGH IT.
SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THANK
YOU, CHRYSTIA.
>> The Hon. Chyrstia Freeland:
OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BILL.
AND NOW WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR
MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS,
EXPORT PROMOTION AND TRADE, MARY
ING.
MARY, PLEASE.
>> (Voice of Translator):
HELLO, EVERYONE.
[end of translation]
AND FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY, MORE HELP IS ON THE
WAY.
YOU JUST HEARD THAT FROM THE
FINANCE MINISTER.
WE KNOW THAT IN THIS DIFFICULT
TIME THAT MANY OF YOU ARE
STRUGGLING TO KEEP THOSE LIGHTS
ON.
AND YOU'RE MAKING INCREDIBLE
SACRIFICES TO HELP CANADIANS TO
STAY SAFE BY FLATTENING THE
CURVE AND TEMPORARILY CLOSING
YOUR DOORS DOWN IN MANY CASES.
WHILE WE HAVE SEEN A SEVERE
DOWNTURN IN BUSINESSES WHERE YOU
HAD TO CLOSE BECAUSE OF COVID-19
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOUR
COMMERCIAL RENT PAYMENTS HAVE
STOPPED.
WE PUT HELP OUT THERE TO HELP
WITH EXPENSES BY DEFERRING
CUSTOMS PAYMENTS AND A VARIETY
OF LENDING SUPPORTS AND WE HAVE
HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS THAT YOU NEED
HELP WITH YOUR RENT.
AND TODAY IS THAT RELIEF.
AND WE'RE PROMOTING FOR
BUSINESSES HAVING HARDSHIP FOR
PAYMENTS FOR APRIL, MAY AND
JUNE.
AND UNDER THESE RENT AGREEMENTS
WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE FORGIVABLE LOANS TO
INCENTIVIZE THE COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY OWNERS TO HELP THEIR
SMALL BUSINESS TENANTS WITH
RENTS BY AT LEAST 75% AND TO
REFRAIN FROM EVICTIONS.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): THIS IS
ABOUT SUPPORTING SMALL
BUSINESSES.
IT'S THOSE WHO NEED OUR HELP THE
MOST.
[end of translation]
AND THEY MADE A TOUGH DECISION
TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS AND NOW TO
BE HELPED WITH THEIR RENT
PAYMENT THAT.
LOCAL FURNITURE STORE THAT
RELIES ON FOOT TRAFFIC TO STAY
AFLOAT TO COVER THE COST OF
THEIR SPACE.
OR THAT SELF-EMPLOYED BEAUTY
SALON OWNER WHO CAN'T TAKE ON
CLIENTS RIGHT NOW SO SHE'LL BE
ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH HER RENT
UNTIL IT'S SAFE TO OPEN UP HER
DOORS AGAIN.
OUR WORK IS FAR FROM OVER AND
WE'RE LISTENING AND WE'RE GOING
TO KEEP ASKING AND WE'LL KEEP
SUPPORTING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE
WAY THROUGH THIS CRISIS.
I WANT TO THANK CANADIAN SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS FOR THEIR
RESILIENCE DURING THIS PERIOD.
MERCI BEAUC OWRCH P.
(Voice of Translator): THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
>> The Hon. Chyrstia Freeland:
THANK YOU, MARY.
AND NOW FROM MINISTER NAVDEEP
BAINS.
NAV, PLEASE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): I'M
HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY TO UPDATE
YOU ON OUR INDUSTRIAL
MOBILIZATION EFFORTS.
IN ADDRESSING --
[end of translation]
OUR APPROACH HAS BEEN THE SAME
FROM THE START -- COMPANIES
REACH OUT TO US ONLINE THROUGH
OUR PORTAL.
NEARLY 6,000 SINCE THE START A
MONTH AGO.
AND WE LOOK AT THESE OFFERS
AGAINST THE NEEDS OF CANADIANS.
WHEN THERE'S A PROMISING MATCH
WE SIGN A LETTER OF INTENT AND
THEN WE WORK WITH THE COMPANY TO
SUPPORT RE-TOOLING AND OFTEN
THIS MEANS BRINGING COMPANIES
TOGETHER IN NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND
SUPPLY CHAINS.
FINALLY WE FINISH BY SIGNING A
CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE.
I'LL START WITH SOME PROGRESS ON
THE LETTERS OF INTENT FOR
MEDICAL GOWNS.
WE FACILITATED THE
TRANSFORMATION OF CONSTRUCTION
HOUSE WRAP FROM INTERTAP POLYMER
AND AIRBAG MATERIALS INTO
FABRICS THAT MEET THE STRICT
REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY
TO USE IN THE MANUFACTURING OF
MEDICAL-GRADE GOWNS.
BY CONNECTING THESE TWO FIRMS
WITH CANADIAN APPAREL
MANUFACTURERS FROM ACROSS
COUNTRY, THEY CAN NOW SEW
MEDICAL GOWNS WITH THIS
MADE-IN-CANADA FABRIC,
EFFECTIVELY BY-PASSING THE
FABRIC SHORTAGES WITH AN
ENTIRELY NEW SUPPLY CHAIN.
THIS IS ENABLING US TO MOVE
FORWARD FROM LETTERS OF INTENT
TO CONTRACTS, WITH GEORGE CURRY,
UDEL AND YOGA JEANS.
THESE COMPANIES JOINED THE RANKS
OF STANFIELD AND CALCO GROUP AND
CANADA GOOSE AS CANADIAN APPAREL
COMPANIES STEPPING UP TO PROVIDE
CRITICAL MEDICAL GOWNS.
IN TOTAL, CONTRACTS WITH THESE
SEVEN COMPANIES HAVE RESULTED IN
MORE THAN 18 MILLION GOWNS WITH
DELIVERIES STARTING THIS WEEK.
I'LL SHARE ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF
HOW THESE NEW PARTNERSHIPS IN
THE CANADIAN INDUSTRY HAVE
HELPED US IN THE FIGHT AGAINST
COVID-19.
A PRODUCER OF TESTING RE-AGENTS
IN NEW BRUNSWICK WAS IN SHORT
SUPPLY OF CHEMICALS FOR
PRODUCTION.
HAVING REACHED OUT TO US THROUGH
THAT PORTAL THAT I MENTIONED
EARLIER, WE CONNECTED THEM TO
CHEMICAL SUPPLIES IN CANADA SO
THEY COULD KEEP ON PRODUCING
RE-AGENTS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO
TESTING.
NOW LET ME MOVE ON TO THE
RE-TOOLING EFFORTS ON FACE
SHIELDS AND MASKS.
CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS HAVE
STEPPED UP IN DIFFICULT TIMES TO
RE-TOOL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST
COVID-19.
AND MANY OF THEM ARE FROM
AUTOMOTIVE SECTORS, A SECTOR
THAT I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH.
I STARTED MY CAREER IN THAT
SECTOR.
AND WE'RE WORKING ON CONTRACTS
OF MORE THAN A DOZEN COMPANIES
THAT WOULD DELIVER MILLIONS OF
FACE SHIELDS, INCLUDING THE
LIKES OF WINDSOR MOLD, DINAPLAS
AND INK SMITH AND THIS ALLOWS US
TO MEET THE REQUESTS FROM
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES WITH
CANADIAN SUPPLIES.
WE'VE ALSO SIGNED A LETTER OF
INTENT WITH GENERAL MOTORS AND
THEY'RE WORKING TO RE-TOOL ITS
OSHAWA ASSEMBLY PLANT TO HELP
WITH THE MASK PRODUCTION HERE IN
CANADA AND WE'RE ASSISTING THEM
IN THIS PROCESS.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): I
APPLAUD ALL OF THE COMPANIES WHO
HAVE RE-TOOLED TO ASSIST IN
THESE EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN OUR
DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAIN.
[end of translation]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> The Hon. Chyrstia Freeland:
OKAY, THANK YOU, NAV, AND NOW WE
HEAR FROM THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC
SERVICE AND PROCUREMENT.
>> (Voice of Translator):
THANK YOU, CHRYSTIA.
HELLO, EVERYONE.
[end of translation]
BEFORE I BEGIN LET ME SAY THAT
AS SOMEONE BORN AND RAISED IN
NOVA SCOTIA THAT MY HEART GOES
OUT TO EVERYONE WHO LOST LOVED
ONES AND FRIENDS THIS PAST
WEEKEND.
THIS TRAGEDY COMES AS WE WORK TO
CONTAIN COVID-19, MAKING IT EVER
SO DIFFICULT TO GRIEVE TOGETHER.
FROM SPENDING THE FIRST 18 YEARS
OF MY LIFE IN NOVA SCOTIA, I
KNOW THAT NOVA SCOTIANS ARE VERY
CLOSELY KNIT GROUP.
IN THESE TRAGIC TIMES KNOW THAT
I AND ALL OF CANADA STANDS WITH
YOU.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): AS WE
CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE SPREAD OF
COVID-19, MY DEPARTMENT
CONTINUES TO MAKE AGGRESSIVE AND
PROACTIVE PURCHASES OF THE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES THAT WILL
HELP SEE US THROUGH THIS
PANDEMIC.
[end of translation]
TODAY I WILL BE ADDRESSING
INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENTS,
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND I WILL
PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR
PROCUREMENTS.
GIVEN THE INTENSE GLOBAL DEMAND
FOR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, WE
ARE FACING MANY CHALLENGES.
MUCH OF THE WORLD'S SUPPLY IS
MANUFACTURED IN CHINA AND MOVING
MATERIALS OUT OF THAT COUNTRY IS
HIGHLY COMPLEX.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED CHALLENGES
AS THE PRIME MINISTER DISCUSSED
EARLIER THIS WEEK.
I WANT TO REASSURE CANADIANS
THAT WE CONTINUE TO ADJUST AND
TO REFINE OUR LOGISTICAL AND
DIPLOMATIC APPROACHES ON THE
GROUND, NOT JUST IN RESPONSE TO
SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES, BUT IN
ANTICIPATION OF THESE
CHALLENGES.
THE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH THAT WE
ARE TAKING TO EXPEDITIOUSLY
BRING HOME SUPPLIES MEANS THAT
WE ARE BUILDING IN
CONTINGENCIES, OVERBUYING IN
SOME CASES AND IMPLEMENTING
RIGOROUS PROGRESS PRODUCT
TESTING.
PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.
WE HAVE RECEIVED SIX PLANELOADS
CARRYING SUPPLIES FROM CHINA
SINCE LAST FRIDAY ALONE, AND
OVER 10 CARRIERS HAVE BROUGHT
GOODS BACK TO CANADA OVERALL
FROM CHINA.
THEY HAVE HELPED TO CARRY
MILLIONS N95 SURGICAL MASKS AND
RESPIRATORS INTO CANADA THAT ARE
NOW IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY
FOR TESTING.
I WANT TO THANK AIR CANADA AND
CARGO JET FOR CONTINUING TO STEP
UP AND DELIVER.
LAST WEEKEND WE ALSO RECEIVED AN
INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT OF AN
IMPORTANT BASE CHEMICAL NEEDED
FOR PRODUCING RE-AGENT AS MY
COLLEAGUE MINISTER BAINS MENSED
AT LUMINUTRA.
THAT WILL ALLOW FOR MORE
COVID-19 TESTING.
THE COMPANY IS NOW GEARING UP TO
DELIVER RE-AGENT FOR UP TO
500,000 TESTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator):
IMPORTED PRODUCTS UNDERGO
RIGOROUS TESTING BOTH AT THE
SOURCE AND IN CANADA.
WHERE THEY ARE INSPECTED BY THE
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA.
THE QUALITY ISSUES, WHILE
UNWELCOME, ARE NOT UNEXPECTED,
GIVEN THE SURGE IN GLOBAL DEMAND
FOR THESE GOODS.
[end of translation]
SUPPLIES ARE NOT ONLY COMING
FROM ABROAD BUT DOMESTIC
PRODUCTION IS RAMPING UP AND
CANADIAN COMPANIES ARE
DELIVERING.
I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE WITH MY
COLLEAGUE MINISTER BAINS THAT
THIS WEEK WE HAVE SIGNED
CONTRACTS WITH THREE MORE
CANADIAN COMPANIES, INCLUDING
JACOBS AND THOMPSON OUT OF
TORONTO, WINDSOR MOLD GROUP OUT
OF WINDSOR, ONTARIO, TO PRODUCE
A TOTAL OF 16 MILLION MEDICAL
FACE SHIELDS.
THE THIRD COMPANY, CANADIAN
SHIELD OUT OF KITCHENER, HAS
MOVED FROM 3D LASER -- 3D
PRINTING TO LASER CUTTING
TECHNOLOGY TO PRODUCE MASKS THAT
CAN BE EASILY BE SANITIZED FOR
RE-USE.
THESE ARE GREAT EXAMPLES OF
CANADIAN INGENUITY AND
IMAGINATION.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): I AM
INSPIRED BY THE WAY THAT THESE
AND OTHER COMPANIES HAVE RISEN
TO THE CHALLENGE AND I AM PROUD
TO SAY THAT WE CONTINUE TO ADD
TO OUR CANADIAN LINEUP.
[end of translation]
WHILE THE DATA MAY APPEAR
PROMISING IN SOME PARTS OF THE
COUNTRY, MODELS SUGGEST THAT
THERE MAY BE FUTURE OUTBREAKS,
EVEN AFTER WE GET THROUGH THIS
FIRST PEAK.
IN TERMS OF OUR PROCUREMENTS,
THIS POSSIBILITY MEANS THAT WE
ARE STILL PREPARING FOR ALL
EVENTUALITIES.
IN LIGHT OF THIS REALITY, I AM
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT
STRIKER, A COMPANY HEADQUARTERED
IN WATERDOWN AND WITH PRODUCTION
BASED IN QUÉBEC CITY, WILL
PROVIDE US WITH 82 STERILIZATION
UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY
HEALTH CANADA.
THESE MACHINES ALLOW FOR THE
STERILIZING THE EQUIPMENT, IN
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
[Speaking French]
(Voice of Translator): I AM
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCED THAT
STRIKER, A COMPANY HEADQUARTERED
IN WATERDOWN, AND WITH
PRODUCTION BASED IN QUÉBEC CITY,
WILL SHIP 82 STERILIZATION UNITS
THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY
HEALTH CANADA.
THESE MACHINES ALLOW FOR THE
STERILIZATION AND THE RE-USE OF
EQUIPMENT LIKE N95 RESPIRATORS.
EXTENDING THE LIFE CYCLE OF THIS
IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
WE HAVE ALSO SIGNED CONTRACTS TO
MEET THE POTENTIAL NEEDS FOR UP
TO 10 MOBILE HEALTH HUBS.
THESE UNITS, WHICH ARE BUILT
SPECIFICALLY FOR PROVIDING
RESPIRATORY CARE, SO THAT THE
LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES CAN
ADDRESS OVERFLOWS OF PATIENTS IF
NECESSARY.
[end of translation]
WE HOPE THAT THIS SURGE CAPACITY
WILL NOT BE NEEDED BUT WE ARE
TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION TO KEEP
CANADIANS SAFE.
THE COVID-19 SITUATION IS VERY
WORRYING AND STRESSFUL, AND
CANADIANS WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE
ARE DOING TO PROTECT THEM.
WE ARE TAKING NEW STEPS TO BE AS
TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE AND TO
KEEP CANADIANS UP-TO-DATE ON OUR
WORK.
TODAY WE ARE LAUNCHING AN ONLINE
REPORT DETAILING THE PROGRESS
THAT WE ARE MAKING ON
PROCURING --
>> Rosemary: OKAY, WE'RE GOING
TO PULL AWAY FROM THIS FEDERAL
BRIEFING.
THE LAST FEW MINUTES WE HAVE
HEARD ABOUT PROCUREMENT AND THE
NEW SUPPLY CHAIN IN CANADA TO
MAKE THE MUCH-NEEDED P.P.E.
AND LET'S GO TO WHERE ONTARIO
PREMIER DOUG FORD IS MAKING A
RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND HIS
REQUEST TO CALL IN THE MILITARY
TO HELP AT LONG-TERM CARE
CENTRES.
HERE'S THE PREMIER.
>> WE'RE ALL PAYING A PRICE, BUT
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR
EFFORTS, THAT YOUR COLLECTIVE
EFFORTS, ARE PAYING OFF.
WE SAW IN THIS WEEK'S MODELING
THAT COMMUNITY SPREAD IS HEADING
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
THAT'S BECAUSE WE'RE ALL DOING
OUR PART.
PEOPLE ARE STAYING HOME,
SELF-ISOLATING AND OUR
BUSINESSES HAVE STEPPED UP IN A
BIG WAY.
BUSINESSES ACROSS ONTARIO ARE
PAYING A HEAVY, HEAVY PRICE TO
PUT THEIR PEOPLE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES FIRST.
AND OUR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED
BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF
OUR ECONOMY.
THEY'RE THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR
COMMUNITIES, OUR RESTAURANTS,
BARS, OUR HOSPITALITY AND
TOURISM SECTOR AND OUR MOM AND
POP SHOPS THAT HAVE BEEN AMONG
THE HARDEST HIT.
AND WE ALL HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING
THAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM.
WE'RE ALLOWING BARS AND
RESTAURANTS TO SELL ALCOHOL WITH
THEIR DELIVERY OR TAKEOUT
ORDERS.
WE'VE DELIVERED $10 BILLION IN
TAX DEFERRALS WISB RELIEF AND
OTHER SUPPORTS.
AND WE WORKED WITH THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE LOANS AND
WAGE SUBSIDIES TO HELP THESE
BUSINESSES STAY AFLOAT.
THIS IS A STRONG START, BUT WE
CAN AND WE WILL DO MORE.
WE WILL LEAVE NOTHING ON THE
TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO
SUPPORTING ONTARIO THROUGH THIS,
AND TODAY MORE HELP IS HERE FOR
OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE'RE DELIVERING EMERGENCY
COMMERCIAL RENT RELIEF TO OUR
ONTARIO SMALL BUSINESSES AND
LANDLORDS.
IN TOTAL, OVER $900 MILLION WILL
GO TOWARDS HELPING THESE
BUSINESSES TO MAKE RENT AND KEEP
PEOPLE EMPLOYED.
AND I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT JUST
BUSINESSES PAYING RENT, IT'S
MANY RESIDENTIAL RENTERS AS
WELL.
AND WITH MAY 1 AROUND THE
CORNER, MANY TENANTS ARE FEELING
ANXIOUS ABOUT THEIR RENT RIGHT
NOW.
I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR -- IF
YOU'RE WORKING, IF YOU HAVE AN
INCOME, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, YOU
MUST PAY RENT.
BUT FOR THE COUNTLESS PEOPLE OUT
THERE, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD
THEIR LIVELIHOODS IMPACTED, FOR
THE WORKERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR
JOBS, WE WILL HAVE YOUR BACK.
WE HAVE FROZEN EVICTIONS SO YOU
WON'T LOSE YOUR HOME AND TODAY I
WILL ASK THE PRIME MINISTER TO
WORK WITH US ON A PROGRAMME TO
SUPPORT RESIDENTIAL TENANTS.
I WANT TO THANK MINISTER CLARK
FOR HIS WORK PUSHING THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL RENT
RELIEF.
MY FRIENDS, WE'RE DOING
EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO HELP
ONTARIO ADAPT TO THE NEW
REALITY.
AND NOW WE MUST BEGIN THE HARD
WORK OF RECOVERY.
EARLY NEXT WEEK, WE'LL BE
RELEASING OUR FRAMEWORK FOR
RE-OPENING ONTARIO'S ECONOMY.
IT WILL PROVIDE A GRADUAL AND
MEASURED APPROACH TO OPENING UP.
LET ME BE CLEAR -- THE HEALTH
AND THE SAFETY OF ONTARIO WILL
ALWAYS COME FIRST.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR
WONDERFUL SMALL BUSINESSES, OUR
COOKS, CLEANERS AND RESTAURANT
STAFF, THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE
WHO KEEP FOOD ON OUR TABLES.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ARE
PUTTING OTHERS FIRST BY STAYING
AT HOME.
WE'RE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK
FOR ALL OF YOU.
WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS
TOGETHER AND THANK YOU AND GOD
BLESS THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO.
NOW I'LL INVITE MINISTER
PHILLIPS UP.
>> THANK YOU, PREMIER FORD, AND
GOOD AFTERNOON.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PREMIER
FORD, MINISTER ELLIOTT AND
MINISTER FULTON, WE HAVE TAKEN
DECISIVE ACTION TO STOP THE
SPREAD OF COVID-19.
AND SO HAVE THE PEOPLE OF
ONTARIO.
INCLUDING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND
TO DO THEIR PART.
BUT WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THE
NECESSARY MEASURES PUT IN PLACE
HAVE COME AT A COST, ESPECIALLY
FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED
BUSINESS OWNERS.
IN PARTICULAR, WE'VE HEARD FROM
COMMERCIAL TENANTS AND THEIR
LANDLORDS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES
FACING THESE BUSINESSES AS THEY
EXPERIENCE CHALLENGES PAYING
THEIR RENT.
SUPPORT IS URGENTLY NEEDED.
AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE PARTNERING
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
DELIVER THE ONTARIO, CANADA
EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL RENT
SUPPORT PROGRAMME.
OUR GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED 
$241 MILLION TO GIVE MUCH-NEEDED
RELIEF OF MORE THAN $900 MILLION
TO ONTARIO BUSINESS TENANTS AND
THEIR LANDLORDS.
TO RECEIVE THE SUPPORT, THEY
WILL NEED TO REDUCE THE RENTAL
COST OF A SMALL BUSINESS TENANT
FOR 75% FOR APRIL, MAY AND UNION
AND COMMIT TO A MORATORIUM ON
EVICTIONS.
BY PROVIDING SUPPORT NOW WE'LL
HELP SMALL BUSINESSES TO GET
THROUGH THIS CHALLENGING TIME SO
THEY CAN BE PART OF THE RECOVERY
WHEN THE PROVINCE REOPENS.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND MINISTER MORNEAU
FOR JOINING US IN THIS IMPORTANT
INVESTMENT.
WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO BRING COMMERCIAL
RENT RELIEF AND WHEN THEY
STEPPED FORWARD OUR GOVERNMENT
DIDN'T HESITATE TO PARTNER IN A
MEANINGFUL WAY TO PROVIDE
SUPPORT FOR OUR SMALL AND
MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES.
I WILL CONTINUE TO URGE MY
FEDERAL COLLEAGUES TO ENSURE
THAT RENTAL RELIEF ARRIVES AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
IT CANNOT COME FAST ENOUGH.
TODAY'S COMMITMENT BUILDS ON
ONTARIO'S ACTION PLAN RESPONDING
TO COVID-19 WHICH PROVIDED
$17 BILLION IN RELIEF FOR PEOPLE
AND EMPLOYERS.
AS THE PREMIER MENTIONED IT
INCLUDES $10 BILLION IN CASH
FLOW SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES TO
KEEP EMPLOYEES ON THE PAYROLL
AND THE LIGHTS ON IN THEIR
BUSINESSES.
FROM ELIMINATING THE EMPLOYER
HEALTH TAX FOR 90% OF
BUSINESSES, TO DEFERRING
PAYMENTS AND INTEREST ON
PROVINCIAL TAXES, WISD PREMIUMS
AND ENABLING PROPERTY TAX
RELIEF.
THE NEW ONTARIO JOBS AND
RECOVERY COMMITTEE HAVE ALREADY
STARTED TO PLAN FOR THE NEXT
PHASE.
ONTARIO'S ACTION PLAN IS
REOPENING OUR PROVINCE.
THIS TEAM WILL WORK TOGETHER TO
GET OUR ECONOMY MOVING AGAIN
WITH THE FOCUS ON JOB CREATION
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND
PROTECTING OUR PROVINCE FROM
FUTURE THREATS.
I WANT TO CONCLUDE BY
ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO CONTINUE
TO FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF OUR
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS.
AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, I WAS
CONFIDENT IN ONTARIO BEFORE
COVID-19, AND I REMAIN CONFIDENT
TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> WELL, BEFORE I TAKE
QUESTIONS, I JUST WANT TO
MENTION THAT AT 1:00 WE'LL BE
JOINING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY
IN OBSERVING A MOMENT OF SILENCE
FOR THE VICTIMS WHO LOST THEIR
LIVES IN THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN
NOVA SCOTIA THIS PAST WEEKEND.
MY HEARTBREAKS FOR THE FAMILIES
AND THE LOVED ONES, AND I WANT
THEM TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE ALL IN
OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR PRAYERS
DURING THIS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT
TIME.
WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS NOW.
>> ON THE LINE, FIRST QUESTION.
>> FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM
SINGT CAMULLIGAN FROM CITY NEWS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> Question: HELLO, PREMIER.
I THINK THAT I'D LIKE TO START
AND I'M SURE THAT I SPEAK WITH
ALL OF THE GALLERY WHERE WE
OFFER YOU BEST WISHES FOR YOUR
FAMILY AFTER YOUR NEWS ABOUT
YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
CYNTHIA.
>> Question: I HAVE A QUESTION
FOR THE HEALTH MINISTER, PLEASE.
MINISTER, WE KNOW THAT THOUSANDS
OF SURGERIES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED
IN THE LAST MONTH, 1,700 CANCER
SURGERIES, FOR EXAMPLE, AND
THOUSANDS OF OTHER TYPES OF
SURGERIES.
I KNOW THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT
GETTING THIS BACK ONLINE, BUT
ARE YOU WORRIED THAT THERE WILL
BE A LOT OF COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO
PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE COVID-19,
BUT WILL STILL SUFFER THE HEALTH
CONSEQUENCES?
>> WELL, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE
MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING TO
HAVE SURGERIES PERFORMED FROM
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERIES TO MORE
PRESSING, THE CANCER SURGERIES.
I KNOW THIS IS ANXIETY PROVOKING
FOR MANY PEOPLE.
THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR OWN
HEALTH AND SAFETY.
BUT THE DECISIONS WERE MADE
BASED ON A PANDEMIC PLAN THAT
WAS DEVELOPED BY CANCER CARE
ONTARIO.
SO THOSE ARE THE CASES.
HOWEVER, I WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE
GOING TO BE RETURNING TO AS SOON
AS WE'RE ABLE TO START RESUMING
ELECTIVE SURGERIES ONCE AGAIN.
BUT BECAUSE WE'RE STILL IN THE
PEAK OF COVID-19, WE STILL ARE
GETTING NUMBERS IN OVER 500, IN
SOME CASES OVER 600 IN A DAILY
BASIS.
BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE PAST THE PEAK SO WE WILL
KNOW THAT WE'LL HAVE THE
HOSPITAL CAPACITY THAT WE NEED
IN ORDER TO GET BACK TO THESE
SURGERIES.
BUT WE ARE PLANNING FOR THEM
ALREADY AND AS SOON AS THE CHIEF
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH GIVES
US THE INDICATION THAT THE PEAK
HAS PASSED, THAT WE WILL BE
STARTING THOSE SURGERIES AGAIN
IMMEDIATELY.
>> Question: DO YOU HAVE A
TIMELINE FOR THAT, IS THAT
POSSIBLY WEEKS?
AND I KNOW HOW INCREDIBLY BUSY
YOU ARE AND FOCUSED ON COVID-19,
BUT ARE THERE THINGS THAT YOU
HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET TO THAT
ARE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS?
FOR EXAMPLE, CYSTIC FIBROSIS
PATIENTS.
BEFORE THIS ALL HIT THEY WERE
BEGGING FOR A NEW MEDICATION
THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY BE
LIFE-SAVING AND YET THEY ARE SO
INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE TO
COVID-19.
HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO PUSH THAT
FORWARD AT ALL?
>> WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON
ALL OF THE OTHER FILES THAT ARE
IMPORTANT IN HEALTH.
I THINK THAT WITH THE CYSTIC
FIBROSIS MEDICATION THAT IS
SOMETHING THAT SEVERAL OF THEM
HAVEN'T BEEN PASSED THROUGH
HEALTH CANADA AS YET.
AND SO THINGS HAVE BEEN SLOWED
DOWN AS YOU -- I'M SURE THAT YOU
CAN UNDERSTAND BECAUSE OF
COVID-19.
BUT WE ARE STILL CONTINUING THAT
WORK.
AND THAT IS -- IT'S VERY BUSY
WITH THE COVID-19 ISSUES, BUT
THE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE
IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE AS WELL.
SO WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON
THEM AND WHEN THE CHIEF MEDICAL
OFFICER OF HEALTH TELLS US THAT
THE PEAK HAS PASSED WE'LL BE
ABLE TO RESUME MANY ISSUES,
INCLUDING THE ELECTIVE SURGERIES
AND INCLUDING THE WORK ON SOME
OF THESE OTHER IMPORTANT FILES
AS WELL.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
>> NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM
ALISON JONES FROM THE CANADIAN
PRESS.
PLEASE, GO AHEAD.
>> Question: HI, PREMIER.
ON THE COMMERCIAL RENT RELIEF
PROGRAMME, THE CANADIAN
FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT
BUSINESSES ARE RAISING CONCERNS
THAT THE PROGRAMME IS TOO
RELIANT ON LANDLORDS, THAT IT
WILL GO THROUGH THEM RATHER THAN
THE BUSINESSES THEMSELVES THAT
NEED HELP.
HOW DID YOU AND IN CONSULTATION
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKE
THE DECISION TO MAKE IT OPERATE
THIS WAY?
>> WELL, I'LL PASS THIS OVER TO
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND HE'S
HANDLING THAT FILE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANKS VERY MUCH FOR THAT
QUESTION.
AND WE HAVE BEEN IN FREQUENT
CONTACT WITH DAN KELLY AT THE
CFIB.
AND THE PROGRAMME DESIGN
CERTAINLY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT
MANY, MANY OF THE CONSIDERATIONS
THAT CIFB AND SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS ACROSS ONTARIO AND CANADA
HAD IN PLACE.
THE IMPORTANT PART OF PARTNERING
WITH THE LANDLORDS IS THAT WE
ARE EXPECTING THEM AS PART OF
THE PROGRAMME TO TAKE 25% OFF OF
THAT RENT.
SO THEY'RE AN IMPORTANT PARTNER
IN THIS.
AND IT ALSO ENSURES THAT WE CAN
COVER THE BROAD SWATH OF
BUSINESSES.
BECAUSE ALMOST EVERYONE HAS A
LANDLORD.
SO THE STRUCTURE OF THE
PROGRAMME WAS MEANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT IN OUR CASE THAT WE THANK
THERE WILL BE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES IN
ONTARIO THAT WILL BE ABLE TO
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.
AND IT WAS ALSO MEANT TO ENSURE
THAT EVERYBODY DID THEIR PART.
THERE'S AN EXPECTATION THAT THE
SMALL BUSINESSES WILL PAY 25% OF
WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN
PAYING, AND THAT THE LANDLORD
WILL BE GETTING A SUBSTANTIAL
COMPONENT, 75% OF THEIR
EXPECTATION.
BUT THIS WAS DESIGNED TO BE ABLE
TO BE IMPLEMENTED QUICKLY AND
THAT'S WHY WE USED -- SORRY --
THE CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING
ORGINISATION AS PART OF THIS.
AND THEY HAVE 98% OF THE
LANDLORDS ALREADY.
SO VERY MUCH DESIGNED TO BE
COMPREHENSIVE AND TO BE ABLE TO
COVER THE MAJORITY OF THE
BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE TARGETING.
AND THAT THE MONEY COULD BE
DELIVERED QUICKLY.
>> THANK YOU.
AND FOR -- I GUESS EITHER THE
PREMIER OR EITHER OF THE
MINISTERS ON THE MILITARY
ASSISTANCE, FOR THE FIVE
PRIORITY LONG-TERM CARE HOMES,
WHAT IS THE CRITERIA USED TO
DECIDE WHICH FIVE HOMES TO
DEPLOY TO FIRST.
SOME OF THEM ARE, OBVIOUSLY, NOT
EVEN CLOSE TO THE HARDEST HIT IN
TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OF DEATHS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
SO WE HAVE REALLY BEEN
MONITORING VERY CAREFULLY THE
STATUS OF ALL OF OUR HOMES AND
LOOKING AT WHO IS IN GREATEST
NEED.
THE STAFFING APPEARS TO BE THE
MAIN AREA OF SEVERE CONCERN
RIGHT NOW.
AND THAT IS A MAJOR PART OF HOW
WE'VE DETERMINED TO GO WITH
THESE FIVE HOMES.
BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS
CHANGING.
AND SO IF OTHER AREAS, OTHER
HOMES, NEED ASSISTANCE IN THIS
REGARD, MORE WILL BE DEPLOYED.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
>> NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM
HAILEY COOPER.
PLEASE, GO AHEAD.
>> Question: HI, PREMIER.
WE'VE LEARNED THAT FIAT CHRYSLER
IS LOOKING TO RESTART PRODUCTION
IN THE U.S. AND CANADA,
INCLUDING THE ONE IN BRAMPTON ON
MAY FOURTH.
NOW WE JUST WANTED TO KNOW HOW
MUCH CONSULTATION WAS DONE WITH
YOUR GOVERNMENT AND WHY THIS
DATE WAS SELECTED?
BECAUSE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR
UNION HAVE EXPRESSED GRAVE
CONCERNS ABOUT THIS EARLY START
WITH THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY.
SO WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO CALM
THOSE CONCERNS?
>> WELL, I GUESS THAT'S WITH THE
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY RIGHT ACROSS
NORTH AMERICA IS OPEN AND WE
HAVE BEEN CONSULTING WITH THE
PARTS MANUFACTURERS, ALONG WITH
THE AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS
THEMSELVES.
I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE
YESTERDAY WITH THE PRESIDENT OF
TOYOTA AS WELL AND THE SUPPLY
CHAIN WON'T MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT
THE SUPPORT OF THEIR REGION AND
NORTH AMERICA.
I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE --
FIRST OF ALL, THE UNIONS AND THE
NON-UNION AUTOMOTIVE PART
MANUFACTURERS AND THE ACTUAL
AUTO MANUFACTURERS THEMSELVES.
THEY'RE VERY, VERY RESPONSIBLE
ORGINISATIONS.
THEY AREN'T GOING TO JEOPARDIZE
ANYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH
AND SAFETY AND I HAVE HEARD THAT
RIGHT FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE
C.E.O. OF MANY COMPANIES.
THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT
THEY PRACTISE SOCIAL DISTANCING
AND THEY HAVE PROPER P.P.E.
EQUIPMENT FOR ALL OF THEIR
EMPLOYEES.
AND I'VE BEEN THROUGH A MAJORITY
OF ALL OF THE PLANTS.
THEY'RE VERY, VERY CLEAN, WELL
ORGANIZED AND NOTHING IS MORE
IMPORTANT TO THESE COMPANIES
THAN THE HEALTH AND THE
WELL-BEING OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
AND I KNOW THAT THEY'RE IN
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEIR
UNIONS.
SO I'M SURE THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE
TO WORK THINGS OUT AND TO HAVE A
VERY SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
>> Question: AND, PREMIER, WE
HEAR YOU EVERY DAY SPEAKING
ABOUT -- JUST NOW THE HEALTH OF
THE EMPLOYEES AND THE HEALTH OF
PEOPLE OF THIS PROVINCE.
AND WE WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU'RE
DOING.
YOU'RE WORKING DAY AND NIGHT AND
THERE'S SO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOUR
SHOULDERS.
YOU HAVE EXPRESSED THAT YOUR
MOTHER-IN-LAW HAS TESTED
POSITIVE.
SO HOW ARE YOU CARING FOR
YOURSELF MENTALLY AND
PHYSICALLY?
>> WELL, I APPRECIATE IT.
I'M FINE.
I FEEL, YOU KNOW, KNOCK ON WOOD,
HEALTHY AS A HORSE RIGHT NOW.
AND IT'S NOT ABOUT OUR FAMILY.
IT'S ABOUT THE 78,000 FAMILIES
IN LONG-TERM CARE AND WHAT THEY
DEAL WITH DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
IT'S ABOUT FAMILIES THAT ARE
WORRIED ABOUT RENT ON MAY 1 AND
THAT HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS,
SOMETIMES THERE'S A COUPLE, BOTH
OF THEM, WHO HAVE LOST THEIR
JOBS.
AND THEY HAVE THREE KIDS.
THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL PRESSURE.
WHEN YOU CAN'T MEET A MORTGAGE,
YOU KNOW, OR FINDING IT TOUGH TO
PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.
BUT I APPRECIATE IT.
BUT, BELIEVE ME, IT'S ALL ABOUT
THE FAMILIES AND IT'S ABOUT
FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS
OVER AT WEST PARK AND EVERY
OTHER LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY
THAT ARE RISKING EVERYTHING
GOING IN THERE AND DAY IN AND
DAY OUT.
AND THAT'S ALL I THINK ABOUT ALL
DAY, ALL NIGHT, IS HOW WE'RE
GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS AND
HOW WE'LL SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF
ONTARIO.
AS PREMIER THAT'S MY JOB TO
PROTECT EVERY SINGLE PERSON, TO
MAKE SURE THAT I ADVOCATE TO THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PUSH THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FOR
INSTANCE, ON RENT.
YOU KNOW, RENT ALONE -- WE'RE
DOING IT WITH BUSINESSES.
NOW WE NEED TO DO IT WITH THE
TENANTS AND THE LANDLORDS FOR
THEIR RESIDENTS.
AND THE LANDLORDS, A LOT OF THEM
AREN'T BIG LANDLORDS AND THEY'RE
JUST HARD-WORKING PEOPLE THAT
MIGHT HAVE A COUPLE UNITS AND
THEY'RE TRYING TO SURVIVE.
AND I WANT TO -- I WANT TO
THANKS, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FOR ALL OF THEIR
HELP.
THEY'VE BEEN GREAT, BY THE WAY,
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.
BUT WE NEED MORE.
WE NEED MORE FOR RESIDENTIAL
RENT.
I KNOW THAT THE PRIME MINISTER
MENTIONED ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE
YESTERDAY AND THE MILITARY.
I NEED HIS HELP.
PRIME MINISTER, IF YOU'RE
LISTENING, I NEED YOUR HELP ON
LONG-TERM CARE.
WE NEED FUNDING.
AND IF YOU CAN PROVIDE FUNDING
THAT WOULD HELP US TO GET
THROUGH THIS AND TO HAVE A
BETTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE
LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.
SO THAT'S ALL THAT'S ON MY MIND.
24/7, LITERALLY, 24/7.
BUT THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR ASKING.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
>> NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM MIKE
CRAWLEY AT CBC NEWS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> Question: HI, PREMIER.
JUST TO PICK UP ON LONG-TERM
CARE AND YOUR REQUESTS TO THE
PRIME MINISTER.
ON THE FUNDING SIDE OF THINGS
YOU HAVE MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY
ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TOPPING
UP THE PAY OF LONG-TERM CARE
WORKERS.
I GUESS IN PARTICULAR PERSONAL
SUPPORT WORKERS.
ANY SENSE OF WHEN THAT'S GOING
TO HAPPEN, HOW MUCH IT'S GOING
TO BE?
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN
HEARING REPORTS THAT PERSONAL
SUPPORT WORKERS ARE LEAVING TO
GO TO OTHER MINIMUM WAGE JOBS
BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO
PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE.
>> WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THEM, MIKE
AND NOTHING IS A TOUGHER JOB
THAN WHAT THEY'RE FACING RIGHT
NOW.
JUST IMAGINE HAVING A LOVED ONE,
A HUSBAND, A WIFE, A BROTHER OR
A SISTER, YOU KNOW, THAT HAS TO
GO INTO THIS JOB EVERY SINGLE
DAY.
THEY'RE ABSOLUTE HEROS AND I
WANT TO JUST TELL THEM THAT HELP
IS ON THE WAY.
OUR MINISTER OF FINANCE IS
WORKING ON A PROGRAMME RIGHT
NOW.
AND ALONG WITH THE HELP OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THAT WILL
BE RELEASED VERY SHORTLY.
>> Question: ONE MORE FOLLOW-UP,
PREMIER.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT STARTING TO
EASE SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS,
MAYBE ALLOWING SOME
NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES TO
STARTING TO OPEN, HAVE YOU GIVEN
ANY THOUGHT TO WHETHER THE
PHASE-IN MIGHT HAPPEN
DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT PARTS
OF ONTARIO?
BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THE
PANDEMIC ISN'T HAVING THE SAME
LEVEL OF IMPACT IN NORTHERN
ONTARIO AS IT IS IN SOUTHERN
ONTARIO AND PEOPLE IN THE NORTH
ARE WONDERING WHY THE SAME
SOLUTIONS NEED TO BE IMPOSED
NECESSARILY ON THEM WHEN, YOU
KNOW, LIFE IN THE NORTH IS SO
MUCH DIFFERENT.
SO IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF
SOME SORT OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT
REGIONAL PHASE-INS OF LOOKING AT
RESTRICTIONS?
>> YEAH, GREAT, GREAT QUESTION,
MIKE.
WE'RE DEALING WITH ALMOST TWO
DIFFERENT WORLDS.
YOU HAVE THE URBAN AND YOU HAVE
THE RURAL AREAS.
BUT WE'RE ALL CONNECTED.
THE PROBLEM WITH THAT, MIKE, AND
I FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE
SAYING AND I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, WE JUST
CAN'T -- WE JUST CAN'T RISK, YOU
KNOW, SOMEONE IN TORONTO GOING
UP NORTH.
BUT WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS TO
PASS THIS OVER TO THE MINISTER
OF FINANCE AND HE'S PUTTING A
PACKAGE TOGETHER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MIKE.
SO THE PREMIER MENTIONED THAT WE
WILL BE RELEASING MINISTER
ELLIOTT AND THE PREMIER AND
MYSELF THE FRAMEWORK THAT WILL
SPEAK TO THOSE VERY QUESTIONS.
BUT AS THE PREMIER TOUCHED ON,
OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE EXPERIENCING
IN THE SUBURBAN AND THE URBAN
AREAS DIFFERENT REALITIES OF
COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION THAN THEY
ARE IN SOME OF THE MORE RURAL
AREAS.
THE CONSIDERATIONS ARE
ABSOLUTELY THE MOVEMENT OF
PEOPLE AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE
COULD MOVE.
AND, IN FACT, MAY BE INCENTED TO
MOVE FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER
BASED ON DIFFERENTIAL
RESTRICTIONS IN SOME OF THOSE
AREAS.
BUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY, YOU
KNOW, WHAT THE FRAMEWORK IS
CONSIDERING.
WE'RE GETTING THE VERY BEST
SCIENCE ADVICE AND YOU WILL SEE
THAT I THINK THAT SASKATCHEWAN
TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY ARE
FURTHER AHEAD IN TERMS OF THEIR
COVID ISSUES.
THEY RELEASED A DOCUMENT THAT
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT ALL OF THE
PROVINCES ARE GOING TO BE NEED
TO BE CONSIDERING BECAUSE OF THE
NATURE OF THE SIZE AND THE SCOPE
OF OUR PROVINCES.
I SHOULD MENTION AS WELL, OF
COURSE, THAT YOU OPEN UP ISSUES
AROUND CROSS BORDER.
WE'RE IN CONVERSATIONS AND
THERE'S TWO CLUSTERS OF AMERICAN
STATES IN THE NEW YORK RELATED
CLUSTER AND A MICHIGAN AND A
MIDWESTERN CLUSTER AND SO THESE
ARE ALL PART OF THE COMPLEX
CONSIDERATIONS THAT ARE PART OF
THE FRAMEWORK THAT COMES
TOGETHER.
BUT AS ALWAYS I HAVE TO END MY
SAYING THAT IT WILL BE BASED ON
THE BEST HEALTH AND SCIENCE
ADVICE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE
PROTECT THE SAFETY OF ONTARIO
WORKERS.
AND I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE
PREMIER MENTIONED ABOUT FIAT
CHRYSLER AND THAT CONVERSATION
BEFORE AND OUR WORK BY THE
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND THE
SKILLS AND LABOUR, AND DESIGNING
THE SORT OF SKILLED -- OR THE
SAFE WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS AND
EXPECTATIONS WITH OUR HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS.
SO THAT THE WORKPLACES WILL HAVE
THE SORT OF GUIDANCE THAT THEY
NEED TO OPEN UP SAFELY, WHETHER
FOR THE WORKERS OR CUSTOMERS IN
SOME SETTINGS, THANK YOU.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
>> NEXT QUESTION FROM CARMEN
DEMELLOC FROM CTV NEWS.
>> Question: A QUESTION WITH THE
PREMIER AND THE FINANCE MINISTER
ABOUT THE FRAMEWORK COMING UP
NEXT WEEK.
HOW CLOSELY ARE YOU GOING TO BE
WATCHING SASKATCHEWAN'S ROLLOUT
OF THEIR, YOU KNOW, RESTARTING
OF THE ECONOMY?
AND COULD ONTARIO HAVE A SIMILAR
KIND OF FIVE-STEP PLAN JUST LIKE
SASKATCHEWAN HAD?
>> WELL, AS WE HAVE BEEN SAYING,
COLIN, THE FIRST PRIORITY IS
MAKING SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE
PEOPLE OF ONTARIO.
AND AS YOU KNOW THAT
SASKATCHEWAN HAS SUCH A MUCH,
MUCH, MUCH SMALLER POPULATION
AND A LARGE AREA.
A LOT OF FARMING COMMUNITIES AS
WELL IN SASKATCHEWAN.
AND I'VE GOTTA TELL YOU THAT I
THINK OF WORLD OF PREMIER SCOTT
MOE.
HE'S ONE OF THE CHAMPIONS OF ALL
OF THE PREMIERS.
WE GET ALONG VERY WELL.
BUT WE ALSO LOOK AT OTHER MODELS
RIGHT ACROSS THE PROVINCE.
AND ACTUALLY WE LOOK AT MODELS
RIGHT AROUND THE WORLD TO SEE
WHAT'S WORKING AND WHAT'S NOT
WORKING AND TAKE THE BEST IDEAS
OFF OF THEM.
>> Question: OKAY, PREMIER,
QUÉBEC HAS ASKED FOR A THOUSAND
MORE MEMBERS OF THE CANADIAN
ARMED FORCES TO COME IN TO HELP
TO SHORE UP THE SUPPORT THEY
ALREADY HAD.
AND SO I KNOW THAT ONTARIO HAS
250 NOW.
COULD THERE BE A POSSIBILITY
THAT ONTARIO WOULD NEED MORE
MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY TO COME
IN TO HELP MORE BELEAGUERED
LONG-TERM CARE HOMES AS WE ARE,
YOU KNOW, CONTINUING TO GO
THROUGH THIS CRISIS?
>> YEAH, I HAD A GOOD
CONVERSATION WITH PREMIER
LEGAULT LAST NIGHT.
AND, BOY, THEY'RE IN TOUGH,
TOUGH HAUL OVER IN QUÉBEC RIGHT
NOW.
AND WE JUST SHARED ADVICE BACK
AND FORTH.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE'VE ASKED THE
HOSPITALS TO GET INVOLVED, THE
PUBLIC HEALTH TO BE INVOLVED,
THE VOLUNTEERS, RETIRED NURSES,
TO COME BACK AND AS WELL AS THE
MILITARY.
BUT WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION
TODAY WITH THE LONG-TERM CARE
AND THE PLAN MOVING FORWARD.
WE HAVE A SOLID PLAN.
SO RIGHT NOW, COLIN, TO ANSWER
YOUR QUESTION -- WE'RE ALL
RIGHT.
AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE --
YOU KNOW, FOR THE MILITARY.
THESE PEOPLE ARE INCREDIBLE.
AND I MENTIONED IT YESTERDAY BUT
WHEN GENERAL VANCE SAID,
PREMIER, SEND ME TO THE TOUGHEST
PLACES THAT YOU HAVE, THEY'RE
INCREDIBLE, THEY'RE HEROES, OUR
MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE PART OF
OUR MILITARY, ABSOLUTELY
AMAZING.
SO WE WELCOME THEM WITH OPEN
ARMS.
AND I JUST WANT TO WISH FRANÇOIS
LEGAULT ALL OF THE BEST IN
QUÉBEC.
WE THINK THAT WE HAVE A TOUGH
TIME HERE, IT'S A LOT TOUGHER IN
QUÉBEC.
AND HE NEEDS THE RESOURCES.
AND, AGAIN, I'M GOING TO REPEAT
MY REQUEST TO THE PRIME MINISTER
THAT BOTH PREMIER LEGAULT AND
MYSELF WILL ASK THE PRIME
MINISTER FOR SUPPORT IN
LONG-TERM CARE.
WE ALL AGREE, YOU KNOW, THE
MILITARY SHOULDN'T BE THEIR
FULL-TIME JOB ON THIS END, BUT
WE NEED FUNDING OFF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE'RE SO
GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE FUNDING
THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN US SO FAR.
THEY'VE BEEN TRUE PARTNERS.
SO THANK YOU.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
>> NEXT QUESTION COMES --
>> Rosemary: WE'LL PULL AWAY
--
>> PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> Rosemary: LET ME BRING YOU
UP TO DATE ON A COUPLE OF ISSUES
THAT THE PREMIER HIGHLIGHTED
THERE.
THERE'S NOW FIVE LONG-TERM CARE
CENTRES IN ONTARIO WHERE 250
CANADIAN SOLDIERS WILL BE
HELPING IN SOME OF THE
HARDEST-HIT LONG-TERM CARE
CENTRES.
THE PREMIER ALSO TALKED ABOUT A
PLEA THAT HE PLANS TO MAKE,
WELL, HE DID MAKE IT PUBLICLY,
BUT HE'LL MAKE ON THE PHONE IN
ABOUT AN HOUR'S TIME TO THE
PRIME MINISTER ABOUT RESIDENTIAL
RELIEF -- RENT RELIEF -- WHICH
HAS ALREADY HAPPENED AND
ANNOUNCED TODAY ON THE
COMMERCIAL FRONT BY THE PRIME
MINISTER.
BUT THE PREMIER IS SAYING THAT
RESIDENTIAL RENT IS ALSO AN
ISSUE.
AND, FINALLY, ONTARIO SAYS THAT
LIKE OTHER PROVINCES THAT NEXT
WEEK IT WILL ANNOUNCE A PLAN TO
BEGIN EASING SOME RESTRICTIONS.
THAT, OF COURSE, WILL BE PHASED
IN OVER TIME AND THERE WERE NO
DATES GIVEN.
BUT THEY PLAN TO START OUTLINING
HOW THAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT WEEK.
AND THAT TOO WILL BE A POINT OF
CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE PRIME
MINISTER AND PREMIERS WHO ARE
SPEAKING AT 2:00 EASTERN FOR A
COUPLE HOURS.
NOT ONLY ABOUT RE-OPENING THE
ECONOMIES AND HOW YOU COORDINATE
THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT
ALSO ABOUT ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
WHILE THEY DID REACH THIS
AGREEMENT ON COMMERCIAL RENT
TODAY, THERE IS STILL THE
ONGOING ISSUE OF HOW TO BETTER
HELP TO SUPPORT FINANCIALLY
ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN THIS
COUNTRY AND THE PROVINCES ARE
VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN SOME
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON THAT
FRONT AS WELL.
AND ON THAT NOTE I THINK THAT I
WILL LEAVE IT THERE.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU
NEED
WE ARE EXPECTING THAT PREMIERS'
CALL AT 2:00, LATER TODAY AND
WE'LL KEEP YOU UP-TO-DATE ON THE
UPDATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON
HOW YOUR PROVINCE MIGHT BE
HANDLING ALL OF THIS.
AND I'LL REMIND YOU THAT THE
OTHER STORY THAT WE'RE TRACKING
TODAY IS THE ONGOING INFORMATION
THAT WE GOT FROM THE RCMP
EARLIER TODAY, SOME REALLY
HORRIFYING DETAILS ABOUT HOW
THOSE HOURS PLAYED OUT THIS
WEEKEND IN NOVA SCOTIA.
I KNOW THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE,
ANDREW, ARE GOING TO BE THINKING
ABOUT THE VICTIMS WHO ARE LOST
AND I'LL PASS IT OVER TO ANDREW.
[please stand by]
