 
AND cbcnews.ca.
WE ARE STANDING BY FOR THE 
PRIME MINISTER'S DAILY UPDATE 
ON THE FEDERAL RESPONSES TO THE 
PANDEMIC.
BUT, OF COURSE, WE ARE ALSO AT 
THIS HOUR TRACKING BREAKING 
NEWS OUT OF NOVA SCOTIA.
RCMP SAY THEY NOW HAVE A 
SHOOTING SUSPECT IN CUSTODY.
THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN ON THE RUN 
FOR SEVERAL TENSE HOURS, 
FOLLOWING WHAT IS  BEING 
DESCRIBED AS A VIOLENT INCIDENT 
IN A SMALL COMMUNITY NEAR TRURO.
WE DON'T KNOW A LOT MORE.
BUT WE WILL EXPECT THE PRIME 
MINISTER MIGHT LIKELY ADDRESS 
THE SITUATION NOW THAT THE 
SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY.
LET'S BEGIN WITH THAT BREAKING 
NEWS STORY IN NOVA SCOTIA.
SHAINA LUCK JOINS ME FROM GREAT 
VILLAGE, CLOSE TO WHERE SOME OF 
THIS MORNING'S EVENTS UNFOLDED.
AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 
HOURS.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW 
IT'S PLAYED OUT?
>> Reporter: WELL, AS YOU SAID, 
THE SUSPECT -- WE KNOW  FROM 
RCMP THAT GABRIEL WORTMAN IS 
NOW IN CUSTODY AND WE KNOW THAT 
HE HAS BEEN ON THE RUN FOR 
APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS.
THE RCMP TELL US THAT HE WAS 
TRACKED DOWN BETWEEN HERE AND 
HALIFAX.
WE LAST KNOW THAT HE WAS SEEN 
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 102.
THAT IS THE HIGHWAY, THE MAJOR 
HIGHWAY THAT RUNS BETWEEN HERE 
AND THE CITY.
ABOUT 45 KILOMETRES AWAY FROM 
WHERE I AM.
AND HE WAS LAST SEEN TRAVELING 
IN A SMALL SILVER S.U.V.
WE HAD HEARD FROM POLICE THAT 
HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN WEARING AN 
RCMP UNIFORM OR WHAT LOOKED 
LIKE AN RCMP UNIFORM.
AT ONE POINT, HE WAS ALSO 
TRAVELING, THEY BELIEVED, IN A 
CAR THAT LOOKED LIKE AN RCMP 
CAR.
BUT THE RCMP PUT OUT A HEAVY 
PRESENCE ON THAT HIGHWAY AND 
THEY WERE ABLE TO APPREHEND HIM 
PROBABLY WE FIRST GOT WORD OF 
THAT MAYBE JUST 20 MINUTES AGO.
NOW WE DO KNOW THAT THIS CAME 
OUT OF SOME KIND OF INCIDENT 
THAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AROUND 
11:30.
THAT.
HAPPENED IN THE TOWN JUST ABOUT 
10 MINUTES UP THE ROAD FROM ME.
IT'S CALLED PORTAPIQUE, A SMALL 
COMMUNITY.
WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE 
VICTIMS.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY AND WE 
DON'T KNOW HOW BADLY THEY ARE 
INJURED.
AND WE DO EXPECT THERE WILL BE 
AN UPDATE FROM THE RCMP AT SOME 
POINT THIS AFTERNOON.
BUT FOR NOW WE KNOW THE SUSPECT 
IS IN CUSTODY.
ROSEY?
>> Rosemary: SO MANY UNUSUAL 
PARTS TO THIS STORY.
HE IS IN CUSTODY NOW AS YOU SAY.
BUT THE FACT HE DID SEEM TO BE 
IMPERSONATING OR PRETENDING TO 
BE RCMP OFFICER, THE RCMP GA *E 
A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THAT 
AS WELL.
>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.
WE DO KNOW FROM THE RCMP THAT 
HE IS NOT ACTUALLY AN RCMP 
OFFICER.
WE DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT HOW 
EXACTLY HE CAME TO HAVE THAT 
RCMP VEHICLE AND RCMP UNIFORM, 
WHETHER THEY ARE ACTUALLY 
LEGITIMATE ARTICLES.
WE DO KNOW THAT HE IS NOT AN 
RCMP EMPLOYEE.
CBC HAS BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM 
THAT HE IS A VENTURIST.
>> Rosemary: OK.
APPRECIATE THAT.
THE CBC'S SHAINA LUCK REPORTING 
FROM GREAT VILLAGE, NOVA SCOTIA.
TO REMIND YOU A LITTLE BIT 
ABOUT HOW THAT UNFOLDED, 
STARTING AT 11:30 LAST NIGHT.
NEAR PORTAPIQUE, THERE WAS A 
TWEET FROM THE RCMP TELLING 
PEOPLE THAT THERE WAS A 
SITUATION UNFOLDING, TELLING 
THEM THAT THERE WAS AN ACTIVE 
SHOOTER.
EARLIER THIS MORNING, TELLING 
THEM TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND 
GO TO THEIR BASEMENTS IN ORDER 
TO STAY SAFE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF 
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL 
RCMP ON THE GROUND VIA TWITTER 
AND OTHER MEANS TO MAKE SURE 
THAT RESIDENTS DIDN'T GET HURT 
FURTHER.
THEY NOW SAY THAT THE SUSPECT, 
GABRIEL WORTMAN, IS IN CUSTODY 
AND THEY DID MANAGE TO 
APPREHEND HIM THERE SOMEWHERE 
ALONG THE HIGHWAY NEAR TRURO, 
NOVA SCOTIA AND, AGAIN, WE DO 
KNOW THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE 
VICTIMS.
WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE BEEN 
INJURED OR KILLED.
WE EXPECT THE RCMP IN NOVA 
SCOTIA TO UPDATE US THE MOMENT 
WE HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT 
SITUATION.
SO OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT, 
BREAKING NEWS OUT OF NOVA 
SCOTIA.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO TRACK IT.
AT THIS HOUR, WE'RE EXPECTING 
TO HEAR FROM PRIME MINISTER 
JUSTIN TRUDEAUS DOING HIS DAILY 
BRIEFING TO THE NATION AROUND 
HIS GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO 
COVID-19.
SO LET'S BRING IN DAVID 
COCHRANE.
I EXPECT THAT THE PRIME 
MINISTER WILL PROBABLY SAY 
SOMETHING ABOUT THIS INCIDENT 
IN NOVA SCOTIA FIRST.
AND MAYBE GIVE US SOME DETAILS 
IF HE HAS ANY, DAVID.
WHAT ELSE ARE WE EXPECTING FROM 
HIM TODAY?
>> Reporter: I'M NOT SURE WE'LL 
GET MUCH IN THE WAY OF A 
SIGNIFICANT NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT 
TODAY.
BUT THE NEWS THAT IS HAPPENING 
HERE IN OTTAWA IS THE 
NEGOTIATIONS HAPPENING BEHIND 
THE SCENES WITH ALL THE PARTIS 
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WHICH IS 
DUE TO COME BACK IN FULL FORCE 
WITH ALL 388 M.P.s SCHEDULED TO 
COME BACK AND TAKE THEIR SEATS 
IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, AN 
THAO *UK NO ONE IS SUPER KEEN T 
HAVE AT ALL.
THERE ARE TALKS OF REDUCED 
SITINGS WITH REDUCED NUMBERS, 
BUT THEY ARE NOT ALL THE WAY 
DOWN YET.
THE LIBERALS AND NEW DEMOCRATS 
HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT IN 
THE LAST 20 MINUTES AS FAR AS I 
CAN TELL, THAT THEY WOULD GET 
THE SUPPORT OF LIBERAL N.D.P. 
TO HAVE ONE SITTING THIS WEEK 
WITH A LOT OF TIME DEDICATED TO 
QUESTION PERIOD, THE 
EQUIVALENTS OF A WEEK OF 
QUESTION PERIOD HAPPENING IN 
ONE CITY AND THEN MOVE INTO ONE 
VIRTUAL SITTING NEXT WEEK AND 
THE WEEK AFTER THAT, ONE IN 
PERSON AND TWO VIRTUAL SITINGS 
AND THAT WOULD BECOME THE 
TEMPLATE FOR THE HOUSE OF 
COMMONS ON HOW IT WOULD 
FUNCTION GOING FORWARD.
THIS IS A MOVE FROM THE 
LIBERALS WHO WANTED ONE SITTING 
AND ONE VIRTUAL SITTING AS THE 
BASELINE EACH WEEK.
THEY DECIDED TO GO UP TO TWO TO 
SATISFY THE NEW DEMOCRATS.
THE GREENS AND BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS, 
WOULD GO ALONG WITH THIS.
ANDREW SCHEER IS KEEN TO HAVE 
PARLIAMENT COME BACK AND RESUME 
ITS NORMAL FUNCTION IN WHAT ARE 
ABNORMAL TIMES WITH A REDUCED 
SITTING.
SOMETHING LIKE WE SAW BEFORE 
AND THEYS PAED LEGISLATION OF 
30 TO 40M.P.s FROM AROUND THE 
OTTAWA AREA.
THE CONSERVATIVES STARTED WITH 
A REQUEST OR DEMAND FOR FOUR 
IN-PERSON SITINGS AS THE 
NEGOTIATIONS HAVE GONE ON, THEY 
HAVE COUNTERED WITH THREE 
IN-PERSON SITINGS.
THE LIBERALS, THE GREENS, THE 
BLOC, THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO 
THAT.
YOU CAN REDUCE THE NUMBER OF 
M.P.s, BUT YOU NEED STAFF, 
BROADCASTERS, POLITICAL STAFF, 
CLERKS AND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF 
PEOPLE WOULD GO INTO THE WEST 
BLOCK AND EVEN LAST TIME WITH 
THE REDUCED SITINGS, ELIZABETH 
MAY AND OTHERS COMPLAINED THAT 
WHEN YOU LEFT YOUR SEATS 
THERE'S LOTS OF SEATS.
AND WHEN YOU HEAD BACK, THERE'S 
TOO MANY SUPPORT STAFF FOR 
PEOPLE TO SAFELY SOCIAL 
DISTANCE.
THESE ARE THE BEHIND THE SCENES 
CONVERSATIONS IN OTTAWA.
WHAT IS THE COMPROMISE?
FOUR OF THE PARTIES HAVE 
LARGELY FOUND AN AGREEMENT THAT 
FUNCTIONS.
THE CONSERVATIVES ARE NOT ON 
BOARD WITH THAT YET AND WE'LL 
HEAR FROM ANDREW SCHEER A 
LITTLE BIT LATER THIS AFTERNOON 
TO SEE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ON 
THIS.
>> Rosemary: I REALISE FOR 
PEOPLE THAT THAT IS A LOT OF 
DAYS AND A LOT OF INFORMATION 
ABOUT WHAT'S TRYING TO GO ON 
HERE.
BUT ESSENTIALLY THEY'RE TRYING 
TO FIND A WAY FOR 
PARLIAMENTARIANS TO DO THEIR 
WORK IN SOME CAPACITY INSIDE 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND FOR 
THE GOVERNMENT TO ANSWER 
QUESTIONS AND BE HELD TO 
ACCOUNT FOR DECISIONS THAT IT'S 
MAKING.
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE DISAGREES 
WITH THAT.
>> Reporter: EVERYTHING IS 
SUSPENDED AND PUT ON HOLD.
BUT DEMOCRACY HASN'T BEEN 
ABANDONED IN CANADA.
THE HOUSE NORMALLY SITS FIVE 
DAYS A WEEK WITH PEOPLE FLYING 
IN FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, 
THERE'S NO WAY FOR THAT TO 
HAPPEN SAFELY AND PRACTICALLY.
SO, THE LIBERALS WANTED TO HAVE 
ONE SITTING DAY A WEEK WITH AN 
ONLINE VIRTUAL DAY.
THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND A 
SOLUTION FOR EVERYBODY.
YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE EM PULSE 
OF THE CONSERVATIVES OF WANTING 
TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
QUESTION THE PRIME MINISTER AND 
THE VARIOUS MINISTERS.
WE'RE UP TO ALMOST $300 BILLION 
IN AID THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THE 
TABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
YOU KNOW, A FULL YEAR'S BUDGET 
IS NORMALLY ABOUT $350 BILLION.
SO, THEY HAVE DONE ALMOST A 
YEAR OF SPENDING IN A MATTER OF 
FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS.
AS THE URGENT NEEDS CAUSED BY 
COVID-19 KEEP EXPANDING AND 
GROWING AND MORE AND MORE 
PEOPLE ARE.
CAPTURED BY THESE PROGRAMMES.
WE'VE SEEN ANDREW SCHEER COME 
BACK TO OTTAWA WITH HIS FAMILY 
AND HOLDING DAILY PRESS 
CONFERENCES.
AND HIS ARGUMENT IS THAT THIS 
IS NECESSARY TO HOLD THE 
GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT BY 
ANSWERING CLEAR AND SPECIFIC 
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY 
WERE SLOW TO RESFONLD THE 
PANDEMIC OR CLOSE THE BORDERS 
OR BUY EQUIPMENT.
THIS IS WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.
THE OTHER PARTIES, THOUGH, DO 
NOT AGREE WITH THE CONSERVATIVE 
LEADER'S DEMAND FOR THE SHEER 
VOLUME FOR IN-PERSON SITINGS 
THAT HE IS LOOKING FOR.
>> Rosemary: OK.
DAVID, I WILL COME BACK TO YOU 
SHORTLY.
I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO OUR TOP 
STORY AT THIS HOUR.
A SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY AFTER 
AN ACTIVE SHOOTER'S 
INVESTIGATION.
THE SUSPECT'S NAME IS GABRIEL 
WORTMAN AND HE HAS BEEN TAKEN 
INTO CUSTODY BY NOVA SCOTIA 
RCMP WITHIN THE LAST 30 MINUTES.
BUT THIS ALL STARTED TO UNFOLD 
YESTERDAY EVENING.
AND MIKE McKAY IS A RESIDENT OF 
PORTAPIQUE, NOVA SCOTIA AND HE 
HAS BEEN UP ALL NIGHT AS HE 
SAYS MULTIPLE HOMES AROUND HIS 
ARE ON FIRE.
HE JOINS US ON THE PHONE.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
>> Caller: DOING GOOD.
A LITTLE TIRED.
>> Rosemary: I BET.
WHEN DID THIS START FOR YOU?
WAS IT LAST NIGHT AND WHAT WERE 
YOU TOLD?
>> Caller: IT WAS AROUND 10:30 
OR 11:00 LAST NIGHT.
WE NOTICED POLICE CARS AND THEN 
THE HOUSE FIRE AND TWO MORE 
FIRES AFTER THAT.
WE'RE ASSUMING WAREHOUSEST AS 
WELL.
AND WITH NOT MUCH INFORMATION 
WE WERE A LITTLE CONCERNED 
UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN WE 
HEARD STAY INSIDE.
SO, WE PRETTY MUCH BUNKERED IN 
FOR THE TIME BEING.
>> Rosemary: DID THEY APPEAR TO 
BE LARGE HOUSE FIRES?
WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME?
>> Caller: PRETTY LARGE HOUSE 
FIRES, YES.
AND SOME EXPLOSIONS.
GAS TANK AND PROPANE TANKS AND 
WHAT HAVE YOU.
AND WITH NO FIREFIGHTER TO BE 
SEEN BECAUSE OF THE OTHER 
ACTIVITY WE WERE UNAWARE OF AT 
THE TIME.
SO -- 
[SIRENS]
>> Rosemary: AND DO YOU KNOW 
THE RESIDENTS OF THE HOMES?
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU COULD 
SEE IN TERMS OF WHAT HOUSE WAS 
AFFECTED.
>> Caller: WE KNOW A COUPLE FOR 
SURE THAT WERE KIND OF VIZABLE 
FROM OUR YARD.
BUT THE THIRD WE DON'T KNOW FOR 
SURE.
BUT SCARY, I GUESS.
>> Rosemary: YEAH.
I CAN'T IMAGINE.
AND WHEN YOU WOKE UP THIS 
MORNING AND FOUND OUT THAT IT 
WAS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER 
INVESTIGATION --
>> Caller: WE DIDN'T WAKE UP 
THIS MORNING.
WE WERE UP ALL NIGHT.
>> Rosemary: FAIR ENOUGH.
WHEN YOU GOT WORD THAT THAT'S 
WHAT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING AND 
THEY TOLD YOU TO STAY IN YOUR 
BASEMENT, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT 
THAT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE.
>> Caller: WELL, WE DON'T HAVE 
A BASEMENT SO WE'RE STILL ON 
THE MAIN FLOOR AND CONCERNED, 
AGAIN, NOT KNOWING FOR SURE 
WHAT OR WHO TO BE LOOKING OUT 
FOR.
SO WE DIDN'T GET A LOT OF 
INFORMATION UNTIL THIS MORNING.
>> Rosemary: DO YOU KNOW THE 
SUSPECT?
DOES HIS NAME --
>> Caller: NO.
>> Rosemary: YOU SAID YOU KNEW 
THE OTHER HOUSES.
HAD YOU BEEN IN CONTACT WITH 
ANYONE IN THE OTHER HOMES TO 
SEE IF THEY'RE OK?
>> Caller: NO.
JUST SEING FROM WHERE WE'RE AT, 
JUST SEEING -- KNOWING WHERE 
THINGS ARE.
>> Rosemary: AND WHAT IS THE 
PRESENCE LIKE IN PORTAPIQUE, 
NOW THAT THE SUSPECT IS IN 
CUSTODY?
>> Caller: WE'RE -- IT'S STILL 
PRETTY QUIET HERE.
HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH TRAFFIC ON 
THE ROAD OR ANYTHING.
BUT WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, I 
GUESS.
>> Rosemary: HAVE POLICE LEFT 
OR STILL THERE SECURING AREAS?
>> Caller: FROM WHAT WE KNOW, 
THEY'RE STILL HERE.
I'M SURE THERE WILL BE 
INVESTIGATIONS AFTER THIS.
>> Rosemary: I'M SURE.
I DON'T MYSELF KNOW MUCH ABOUT 
PORTAPIQUE, MIKE.
GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW BIG OR 
SMALL OR RURAL IT IS.
>> Caller: VERY RURAL.
VERY SMALL COMMUNITY.
ON THE WATER.
IT'S COTTAGE COUNTRY HERE.
NOISE AREA A.
-- NICE AREA.
BEAUTIFUL AREA.
AND HOUSES ARE SPREAD OUT.
A LOT OF TREES.
SO YOU CAN BE IN THE BLIND A 
LITTLE BIT.
>> Rosemary: YEAH.
WE ALSO HAVE HEARD, AND I'M 
SURE YOU HAVE NOW, TOO, THAT 
THE SUSPECT WAS WEARING -- MAY 
BE WEARING AN RCMP UNIFORM AND 
MAY HAVE HAD SOME SORT OF CAR 
THAT LOOKS LIKE AN RCMP CAR.
HOW WORRYING IS THAT?
>> Caller: WELL, THAT IS PRETTY 
SCARY FOR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE NOT 
KNOWING AND HE COULD HAVE 
SHOWED UP ON A DOORSTEP AND 
PEOPLE THINKING THAT HE WAS 
POLICE.
THAT'S SCARY.
>> Rosemary: TOTALLY.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN 
PORTAPIQUE?
>> Caller: A FEW HUNDRED.
I'M NOT 100% SURE.
IT'S NOT A HUGE POPULATION.
>> Rosemary: AND THE PEOPLE YOU 
KNOW IN TOWN, THEY ARE ALL SAFE 
AND OK?
>> Caller: AS FAR AS WE KNOW, 
YES.
>> Rosemary: STRANGE TIME, TOO.
YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY STAYING AT 
HOME BECAUSE OF PANDEMIC AND 
NOW THIS HAPPENS.
>> Caller: WE'RE JUST LOCKED IN 
A LITTLE LONGER.
>> Rosemary: I KNOW.
I GATHER YOU'RE RELIEVED?
>> Caller: YES.
>> Rosemary: YEAH.
>> Caller: AS WELL AS A LOT OF 
PEOPLE WILL BE, I'M SURE.
>> Rosemary: THANK YOU FOR 
TALKING TO US.
WE HOPE YOU GET A NAP AT SOME 
POINT AND HOPE EVERYBODY THERE 
IS SAFE.
APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.
THAT'S MIKE McKAY FROM 
PORTAPIQUE, NOVA SCOTIA.
HE IS ONE OF THE RESIDENTS OF 
THAT SMALL TOWN.
AND A IT WAS IN THAT TOWN
>>  -- TOWN JUST LAST NIGHT 
THAT THEY GOT HAD TWOER THERE 
WAS A SITUATION UNFOLDING 
AROUND 11:00, 11:30 P.M. LOCAL 
TIME AND THERE DID APPEAR TO BE 
AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION.
WE DO NOT KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT 
THE SITUATION AS OF YET.
BUT POLICE SAY THERE ARE 
MULTIPLE VICTIMS.
THEY WON'T SAY WHETHER THOSE 
PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED 
AND THEY WORKED FOR ABOUT 12 
HOURS OR SO TO LOCATE THE 
SUSPECT.
A MAN BY THE NAME OF GABRIEL 
WORTMAN WHO, AS YOU HEARD ME 
ASKING MIKE THERE, APPEARED TO 
BE DRESSED AS AN RCMP OFFICER 
AND IN A CAR THAT APPEARED 
ALMOST TO BE A REPLICA OF AN 
RCMP VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH HE IS 
NOT A MEMBER OF THE RCMP.
HE IS A DENTIST OF SOME -- A 
DENTURIST OF SOME KIND.
THEY WERE VERY WORRIED FOR 
PEOPLE'S SAFETY.
THE RCMP AT THE TIME TELLING 
PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES 
AND HE WAS, QUOTE, ARMED AND 
DANGEROUS.
HE HAS BEEN IN THE LAST 30 
MINUTES PICKED UP AND BROUGHT 
INTO CUSTODY BY THE ROLLER 
COASTER.
MANY.
WE'LL AWAIT MORE DETAILS ABOUT 
WHAT THE RCMP CAN TELL US ABOUT 
POTENTIAL VICTIMS AND ANY 
INFORMATION ABOUT WHY THIS MAY 
HAVE HAPPENED.
SO WE'LL BRING THAT TO YOU AS 
SOON AS WE GET IT, OBVIOUSLY.
BUT WE ARE, AS WE DO AT THIS 
HOUR, WAITING FOR THE PRIME 
MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU TO 
EMERGE FROM HIS HOME.
THERE IT IS.
YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH HIS FRONT 
DOOR BY NOW, RIDEAU COTTAGE, 
WHERE HE WILL BRING US UP TO 
DATE ON HIS GOVERNMENT'S MOVE 
TO CONTAIN AND COMBAT COVID-19 
AND HE WOULD ALSO, I WOULD 
IMAGINE, LIKELY SPEAK TO THE 
SITUATION THAT HAS NOW BEEN, 
FOR NOW, IT WOULD SEEM RESOLVED 
IN NOVA SCOTIA.
I WILL BRING IN DAVID COCHRANE 
AS WE STAND BY AND WAIT FOR THE 
PRIME MINISTER.
YOU BROUGHT US UP TO DATE ON 
THE PARLIAMENTARY NEGOTIATIONS.
>> Reporter: I HAVE A SLIGHT 
UPDATE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IN 
CONTACT WITH ELIZABETH MAY AND 
TO CLARIFY THE GREEN'S 
POSITION, THEY ARE ONLY IN 
FAVOUR OF SITTING IN PERSON IF 
THERE IS A COMPELLING REASON, 
SUCH AS PASSING LEGISLATION.
THEY DON'T WANT TO SIT JUST TO 
HAVE A QUESTION PERIOD.
THESE CAN BE DONE VIRTUALLY AND 
OVER ZOOM AND TO BRING 
EVERYBODY TOGETHER TO HAVE A 
QUESTION PERIOD SENDS THE 
WRENING MESSAGE TO CANADIANS 
AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS 
TELLING EVERYBODY TO STAY HOME 
EXEMPT BES US, US BEING MEMBERS 
OF PARLIAMENT SAYS SHE.
THEY WANT TO GO TO VIRTUAL AS 
QUICKLY AND AS OFTEN AS 
POSSIBLE AND USE THAT AS A 
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 
METHOD, DESPITE THE GLIFMS 
THEY'VE HAD WITH THE TECHNOLOGY 
ON SOME OF THE COMMITTEE 
HEARINGS.
FOR THEM, THEY SAY ONCE A WEEK 
WITH A SMALL GROUP OF M.P.s 
CONSTITUTES AN UNREASONABLE 
RISK AND SENDS THE WRONG 
MESSAGE TO CANADIANS THAT 
PARLIAMENTARY SHOULD STAY HOME.
THE GREENS DON'T WANT ANY IN 
PERSON UNLESS IT'S REQUIRED TO 
VOTE AND PASS LEGISLATION AS WE 
SAW WITH WAGE SUBSIDY AND 
BUSINESS HELP, FOR EXAMPLE.
>> Marcy: IF THEY'VE DONE IT 
BEFORE, SORT OF CURIOUS THAT 
THEY WOULDN'T FIND A WAY TO DO 
IT AGAIN.
AND WE'RE EXPECTING TOER THAT 
FROM THE SPEAKER ABOUT WHERE 
THEY ARE AT IN TERMS OF VIRTUAL 
SITINGS.
BUT WE KNOW FROM PRESS 
CONFERENCES, SOME CABINET 
MINISTERS FORGET TO UNMUTE 
THEIR MICROPHONES.
YOU CAN IMAGINE WHERE YOU HAVE 
THE SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE TRY 
TO TALK OVER ONE ANOTHER.
I'M SURE IT'S POSSIBLE.
I'M JUST NOT SURE HOW EASY IT 
WILL BE AND WHETHER IT WILL BE 
THE BEST DEMONSTRATION OF 
ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND THE AGREE TO SUSPEND ONLY 
GOES UNTIL TOMORROW.
THEY HAVE TO REACH SOME ORT OF 
AGREEMENT BEFORE THE DAY IS 
OVER AND AS WE'VE SEEN 
THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC, THEY 
DO TEND TO REACH AGREEMENT, BUT 
THEY TO END DO IT RIGHT AT THE 
VERY LAST MINUTE.
OK.
I THINK MR. TRUDEAU, THE PRIME 
MINISTER, IS ABOUT TO COME OUT 
IN ABOUT A MINUTE'S TIME.
AGAIN, WE ARE EXPECTING HIM TO 
PERHAPS BRING US UP TO DATE ON 
THE NEGOTIATIONS OF THE RETURN 
OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
AND WE EXPECT HIM TO ADDRESS 
THE SITUATION THAT NOW APPEARS, 
ANYWAY, TO BE UNDER CONTROL IN 
NOVA SCOTIA WHERE A SUSPECT HAS 
BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.
HE WAS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER, THE 
RCMP SAY, AND THEY ARE TALKING 
ABOUT MULTIPLE VICTIMS.
WE DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT OF 
THAT, BUT PERHAPS THE PRIME 
MINISTER WILL HAVE MORE TO TELL 
US RIGHT NOW.
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: 
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I WANT 
TO TOUCH BRIEFLY ON THE 
UNFOLDING EVENTS IN PORTAPIQUE, 
NOVA SCOTIA.
I KNOW WE'VE ALL BEEN WATCHING 
THIS ON THE NEWS.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO EVERYONE 
AFFECTED IN WHAT IS A TERRIBLE 
SITUATION.
I WANT TO THANK THE POLICE FOR 
THEIR HARD WORK AND PEOPLE FOR 
COOPERATING ARE AUTHORITIES.
>> Interpreter: I'D LIKE THE 
SPEAK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE 
SITUATION UNFOLDING RIGHT NOW 
IN PORTAPIQUE, NOVA SCOTIA.
I KNOW WE'VE ALL BEEN FOLLOWING 
THE NEWS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW 
THAT OUR HEART GO OUT TO ALL 
THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS EVENT.
I WANT TO THANK THE AUTHORITIES 
FOR THEIR GOOD WORK AND 
EVERYONE ELSE FOR THEIR 
COOPERATION.
THIS MORNING, I ALSO WANT TO 
WISH A HAPPY ORTHODOX EASTER TO 
THOSE CELEBRATING TODAY.
EVEN IF YOU DO IT ON SKYPE, I 
HOPE YOU CAN SPEND THIS SPECIAL 
DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND 
FRIENDS.
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: AND 
A HAPPY ORTHODOX EASTER TO 
EVERYONE CELEBRATING TODAY.
EVEN IF IT'S JUST OVER SKYPE.
I HOPE YOU CAN SPEND THIS 
SPECIAL WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
ALTHOUGH THIS PANDEMIC HAS 
AFFECTED EVERYONE, SOME PEOPLE 
HAVE BEEN HIT ESPECIALLY HARD.
RIGHT NOW, TOO MANY CANADIANS 
ARE FACING SOME REALLY 
DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
IF YOU LIVE WITH A DISABILITY, 
I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT 
THIS CAN LOOK LIKE.
YOU MIGHT BE WORRIED ABOUT 
WHETHER YOUR SUPPORT WORKER 
WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP COMING.
YOU MIGHT BE CONCERNED ABOUT 
GETTING GROCERIES OR ABOUT YOUR 
FINANCES.
AND IF YOU'RE CARING FOR 
SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY, 
YOU'RE PROBABLY ANXIOUS ABOUT 
GETTING SUPPORT, TOO.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
YOUR EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT.
AND OUR GOVERNMENT IS LISTENING.
IF THIS CRISIS HAS LAID THE 
GAPS THAT STILL EXIST FOR FAR 
TOO MANY CANADIANS, IT IS ALSO 
GIVEN US AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
ADDRESS THEM.
IT HAS ENCOURAGED US TO HAVE 
EVEN MORE MEANINGFUL 
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN 
MAKE OUR COUNTRY A MORE 
INCLUSIVE AND A MORE EQUITABLE 
PLACE.
LAST WEEK, MINISTER QUALTROUGH 
LUNCHED A COVID-19 DISABILITY 
ADVISORY GROUP AS PART OF OUR 
PLAN TO.
KEEP ALL CANADIANS HEALTHY, 
INFORMED AND SAFE.
WE'RE ADDRESSING KEY ISSUES 
LIKE EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTH 
CARE AND INFORMATION AS WELL AS 
SUPPORT ON JOBS AND INCOME.
AND WE'RE DOING ALL OF THIS 
WORK WITH YOU AT THE TABLE.
ON THAT NOTE, I WANT TO 
RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING 
ORGANISATIONS ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY.
LIKE THE RICK HANSEN FOUNDATION 
THAT ARE BRINGING THESE ISSUES 
TO THE FORE.
YOU ARE DOING INC *EP CREDIBLE 
WORK.
AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE YOUR 
PARTNER.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Interpreter: LAST WEEK, 
MINISTER QUALTROUGH LAUNCHED 
THE DISABILITY ADVISORY GROUP.
THAT IS PART OF OUR PLAN TO 
HELP EVERYONE TO STAY HEALTHY 
AND SAFE.
WE ARE FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED 
SITUATION AND WE ARE NOW 
LOOKING AT THE MOST IMPORTANT 
ISSUE, SUCH AS EQUAL ACCESS TO 
HEALTH CARE AND INFORMATION.
WE ALSO WANT TO PROVIDE 
FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO 
NEED IT AND WE HAVE PUT 
MEASURES IN PLACE TO PROTECT 
JOBS.
THIS IS WORK WE'RE DOING 
TOGETHER.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE LEADERS 
AND ORGANIZERS AROUND THE 
COUNTRY THAT ARE DRAWING 
ATTENTION TO PARTICULAR 
CHALLENGES THAT THE MOST 
VULNERABLE CANADIANS ARE FACING.
FEW ARE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY 
JOB AND WE'RE THERE TO BE YOUR 
FULL PARTNER.
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: IN 
RESPONSES TO THIS PANDEMIC, 
WE'VE DEVELOPED A THREE-POINT 
ECONOMIC PLAN TO HELP CANADIANS 
GET THROUGH THIS TOUGH TIME.
WE INTRODUCED THE CANADA 
EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT TO 
HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR 
WAGES.
WE BROUGHT IN NEW LOANS FOR 
BUSINESSES AND WE INTRODUCED 
THE WAGE SUBSIDY.
BUT THERE IS STILL WORK TO DO.
THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE TO REACH.
THAT'S WHY THIS PAST WEEK WE 
EXPANDED THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
BENEFIT TO INCLUDE WORKERS 
MAKING UP TO $1,000 A MONTH, 
SEASONAL WORKERS AND THOSE 
WHOSE E.I. HAS RECENTLY RUN OUT.
IT'S WHY WE PUT IN PLACE NEW 
MEASURES TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN 
THE ENERGY INDUSTRY, WHICH IS 
SUFFERING RIGHT NOW.
AND WE ALSO BROUGHT IN SUPPORT 
FOR PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO DO 
INCREDIBLE WORK IN THE ARTS, 
CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMUNITIES.
AND IT'S WHY WE KEPT MAKING 
ATTEMPTS WITH THE PROGRESS AND 
TERRITORIES ON INCREASING WAGES 
FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO NEED 
IT.
THINGS ARE TOUGH FOR EMPLOYERS, 
TOO.
SO WE BROUGHT IN A WHOLE RANGE 
OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ON LOANS 
AND CREDIT AND FOR INDIGENOUS 
BUSINESSES AND BUSINESSES IN 
THE NORTH.
AND FOR COMMUNITIES THAT NEED 
EXTRA SUPPORT.
WE APPROVED REQUESTS TO HAVE 
THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES 
ASSIST IN LONG-TERM CARE 
FACILITIES AS WELL AS IN 
NUNAVIK.
I CAN ALSO ANNOUNCE THAT WE 
APPROVED AN EXTENSION FOR 
QUEBEC TO HELP FIRST NATIONS.
ALL THESE MEASURES WE BROUGHT 
IN ARE ABOUT HELPING YOU DO THE 
THINGS THAT WILL GET US THROUGH 
THIS.
AND IT'S WORKING.
WE'RE SEEING THE NUMBERS TREND 
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
SO WE NEED TO KEEP DOING WHAT 
WE'RE DOING AND KEEP BEING 
EXTREMELY CAREFUL.
AND WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS 
TOGETHER.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Interpreter: FROM THE 
BEGINNING OF THE CRISIS, WE 
HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCING HISTORIC 
MEASURES WITH THE EMERGENCY 
BENEFIT, THE WAGE SUBSIDY AND 
THE LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE ARE HELPING MILLIONS OF 
FAMILIES AND WORKERS AND 
ENTREPRENEURS.
BUT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WE 
NEED TO HELP.
THIS WEEK, WE EXTENTED SUPPORT 
THROUGH THE BENEFIT.
WE PUT IN PLACE NEW MEASURES 
FOR ENERGY SECTOR WORKERS, A 
SECTOR PARTICULARLY HARD HIT BY 
THE EPIDEMIC.
AND WE ALSO WANT TO HELP PEOPLE 
DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB IN 
THE ARTS AND CULTURE AND SPORTS 
COMMUNITIES.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE WORKING 
WITH THE TERRITORIS TO INCREASE 
THE WAGES OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS 
WHO NEED MORE SUPPORT.
OF COURSE, THIS IS ALSO A 
DIFFICULT PERIOD FOR EMPLOYERS.
THEREFORE, WE INTRODUCED A 
WHOLE SERIES OF ADDITIONAL 
MEASURES, INCLUDING LOANS AND 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUSINESSES, 
INCLUDING FOR INDIGENOUS AND 
NORTHERN BUSINESSES.
AND FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT 
NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE HELP, WE 
HAVE APPROVED REQUESTS FOR THE 
CANADIAN ARMED FORCES TO BE 
DEPLOYED TO QUEBEC IN LONG-TERM 
CARE HOMES AND IN NUNAVIK AND 
THE LOWER NORTH SHORE.
TODAY I CAN ALSO ANNOUNCE THAT 
THE RANGERS WILL BE HELPING 
OTHER COMMUNITIES IN QUEBEC.
WE INTRODUCED ALL OF THESE 
DIFFERENT MEASURES TO ALLOW YOU 
TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS 
OF OUR HEALTH EXPERTS AND HELP 
US TO FIGHT THIS VIRUS.
AND IT'S WORKING.
THE NUMBERS SHOW THAT WE'RE 
MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
SO, WE MUST CONTINUE TO STAY 
HOME AND BE CAUTIOUS.
AND TOGETHER WE WILL GET 
THROUGH THIS.
HAVING SAID THAT, EVEN IF WE'RE 
POINTING OUT CERTAIN 
ENCOURAGING TRENDS, WE MUST NOT 
DILUTE OURSELVES.
ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, THERE ARE 
THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES GOING 
THROUGH TERRIBLE TIMES.
BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO 
EXPRESS MY DEEP CONDOLENCES TO 
THOSE WHO ARE MOURNING.
ALL CANADIANS SHARE YOUR 
SADNESS AND THEY STAND WITH YOU 
DURING THESE TERRIBLE ORDEALS.
KNOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS 
THERE FOR YOU AND THEY WILL 
COME THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT 
TIMES TOGETHER.
WE CANNOT SEE THIS NEWS WITHOUT 
THINKING OF THE SENIORS IN 
THEIR RESIDENCES THAT CAN'T SEE 
THEIR CHILDREN, THAT CAN'T SEE 
THEIR GRANDCHILDREN EXCEPT ON 
FACETIME AND WHO ARE AFRAID, 
WHO SEE THE NEWS AND HEAR ABOUT 
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SENIORS' 
HOMES ACROSS THE PROVINCE AND 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND THEY'RE WORRIED AS TO 
WHETHER THEY WILL EVER SEE 
THEIR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN 
AGAIN.
IT'S EXTREMELY HARD.
AND WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE 
CAN FOR THEM BY WORKING 
TOGETHER, BUT ALSO BY MAKING IT 
CLEAR THAT EVERYONE HAS TO 
CONTINUE TO STAY HOME.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SLOW THE 
SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS AND 
TOGETHER WE WILL GET THROUGH 
THIS.
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: AND 
BECAUSE IT'SUNDAY, I WANT TO 
END AGAIN BY TALKING DIRECTLY 
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO MIGHT BE 
WATCHING.
THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER 
WEEK.
THAT MEANS WE SAY THANK YOU TO 
EVERYONE AROUND US DOING THINGS 
LIKE HELPING SENIORS GET 
GROCERIES OR PUTING IN A SHIFT 
AT A FOOD BANK.
YOU CAN JOIN IN FROM HOME, TOO.
ASK YOUR PARENTS IF YOU CAN 
HELP THEM MAKE DINNER AND DO 
EXTRA CLEANING AROUND THE HOUSE.
HELP YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER 
WITH SCHOOL WORK.
SAY HI OVER FACETIME TO YOUR 
GRANDPARENTS WHO I KNOW ARE 
MISSING YOU.
YOUNG, AND YOUNG AT HEART, WE 
CAN ALL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.
I HEARD A GREAT STORY THE OTHER 
DAY.
ABOUT A RESTAURANT IN NOVA 
SCOTIA, THE CANTEEN.
THEY TURNED THE RESTAURANT INTO 
A COMMUNITY KITCHEN WHERE 
PEOPLE PITCH IN AND GET MEALS 
TO THOSE IN NEED.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS 
OF CANADIANS WHO HAVE ALREADY 
SIGNED UP THROUGH OUR NATIONAL 
COVID-19 VOLUNTEER IMPROVEMENT 
CAMPAIGN TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD ON 
OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS.
EVERYONE CAN HELP OUT.
EVERYONE CAN HELP US GET 
THROUGH THIS.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Interpreter: TO ALL THE 
CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW AT HOME, 
DON'T FORGET THAT WE NEED YOU.
ASK YOUR PARENTS IF YOU CAN 
HELP THEM PREPARE A MEAL OR 
HELP WITH THE CLEANING.
HELP YOUR BROTHER OR YOUR 
SISTER WITH THEIR HOMEWORK.
SAY HELLO ON FACETIME TO YOUR 
GRANDPARENTS WHO MISS YOU.
WE ARE ALL ABLE TO DO OUR BEST 
AND MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE.
AND AT THIS TIME, AS WE'RE 
FACING A CHALLENGE LIKE WE'VE 
NEVER SEEN BEFORE, WE ALL HAVE 
A CHANCES TO CONTRIBUTE.
BUT I KNOW THAT WE WILL ALL 
CONTINUE TO DO OUR PART.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [SPEAKING FRENCH].
OPERATOR: MERCI.
THANK YOU.
FIRST QUESTION, THE "GLOBE AND 
MAIL".
YOUR LINE IS OPEN.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> Reporter: GOOD MORNING, 
PRIME MINISTER.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING OUR 
QUESTIONS.
MY QUESTION IS WITH REGARD TO 
THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO 
TIGHTEN THE SCRUTINY OF FORCED 
TAKEOVERS OF CANADIAN FIRMS 
IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 
PANDEMIC.
WHY IS THIS DECISION IMPORTANT 
AND WHY DID YOU TAKE THIS 
DECISION A MONTH AFTER EUROPEAN 
COUNTRIES STARTED DOING THIS?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau:s WE 
RECOGNIZE THAT COUNTRIES AROUND 
THE WORLD ARE LOOKING AT THEIR 
OWN REGIMES AND RECOGNIZING 
THAT THERE ARE VULNERABLE 
BUSINESSES THAT ARE GOING TO BE 
IMPORTANT TO OUR RECOVERY WHO 
ARE PERHAPS EXPOSED TO FOREIGN 
PURCHASES IN A VULNERABLE TIME, 
THAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AND 
ARE TAKEN CARE OF.
WE'LL BE STRENGTHENING OUR 
OVERSIGHT AND PAYING CLOSE 
ATTENTION TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT 
IN THIS COUNTRY, TO ENSURE THAT 
THERE ISN'T PEOPLE TAKING 
ADVANTAGE OF THIS CRISIS.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Interpreter: WE RECOGNIZE IT 
IS IMPORTANT IN THIS TIME OF 
ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN AND 
VULNERABILITY FOR MANY 
BUSINESSES THAT THERE ARE NOT 
PEOPLE OR COMPANIES OVERSEAS 
THAT ARE TRYING TO TAKE 
ADVANTAGE OF THIS SITUATION TO 
INVEST IN CANADIAN COMPANIES 
WHICH NORMALLY WOULD NOT BE AS 
A RESULT NEGOTIABLE THAT TYPE 
OF TAKEOVER.
AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE TALKING 
ABOUT JUST HOW IMPORTANT THESE 
MEASURES ARE TO ENSURE THE 
PROTECTION OF OUR INDUSTRIES 
AND OUR ECONOMY.
>> Caller: ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY 
FOREIGN TAKEOVER DEALS THAT ARE 
OCCURRING OR ARE THERE ANY 
SECTORS THAT YOU'RE CONCERNED 
ABOUT?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: 
CERTAINLY AS WE LOOK AT 
CHALLENGES AROUND SUPPLY CHAINS 
FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES 
AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE 
EQUIPMENT AS WE STRENGTHEN OUR 
OWN DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND 
PRODUCTION, WE WOULDN'T WANT A 
FOREIGN INVESTOR TOIC THAT 
PRODUCTION THAT IS BEING MADE 
FOR CANADIANS IN THIS MOMENT OF 
CRISIS AND SEND IT OVERSEAS.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE 
ARE PERHAPS SOME STARTUPS THAT 
WE WOULD WANT TO REMAIN 
CANADIAN FOR THE COMING YEARS 
THAT COULD BE EXPOSED TO 
PREDATORY FOREIGN INVESTORS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, OF 
COURSE, WE'LL BE KEEPING AN EYE 
ON.
>> THANK YOU.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
OPERATOR: THANK YOU.
MERCI.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Reporter: BONJOUR.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Interpreter: GOOD MORNING, 
MR. TRUDEAU.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE 
NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING THE 
RECONVENING OF PARLIAMENT NEXT 
WEEK AND IF THE 338 M.P.s HAVE 
TO BE RECALLED TOMORROW.
WHOSE FAULT WILL IT BE?
WELL, WE'RE VERY CONCERNED 
ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NOT 
YET REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH 
ALL THE OPPOSITION PARTIS TO 
NOT COME BACK TOMORROW MORNING.
THE CURRENT SITUATION IS THAT 
PARLIAMENT IS SUPPOSED TO 
RESUME TOMORROW ON THE 20TH OF 
APRIL WITH 338 M.P.s FROM EVERY 
CORNER OF THE COUNTRY AND THEIR 
TEAM, THEIR STAFF, SECURITY 
GUARDS AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
PERSONNEL AND, OF COURSE, WE'RE 
NOT IN A SITUATION WHERE THAT 
SHOULD BE HAPPENING.
WE NEED A PARLIAMENT THAT WORKS.
WE NEED TO DO THAT IN A 
RESPONSIBLE WAY.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE HAD SOME GOOD 
CONVERSATIONS WITH MOST OF THE 
PARTIES AND WE'RE CLOSE TO AN 
AGREEMENT TO BE ABLE TO COME 
BACK EVERY WEEK TO ENSURE THAT 
THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND WE 
CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH 
LEGISLATION.
BUT THE CONSERVATIVES ARE 
RESISTING THAT REASONABLE 
SOLUTION AT THIS TIME.
BUT WE DO HOPE THAT THIS CAN BE 
RESOLVED SOON.
FOLLOW-UP?
YES.
SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S THE 
CONSERVATIVES.
NOW YOU WERE TALKING TO 
CHILDREN EARLIER BECAUSE IT'S 
SUNDAY.
SO, WHAT KIND OF IMAGE DOES 
THIS PRESENT IF EVERYONE IS 
MAKING SACRIFICES AND DOES IT 
REALLY SHOW THAT POLITICIANS 
ARE NOT ABLE TO AGREE AT SUCH A 
DIFFICULT TIME?
WELL, THAT'S A VERY GOOD 
QUESTION, LENA.
AND FOR ME IT IS VERY 
FRUSTRATING.
BECAUSE WE'RE CLEARLY HEARING 
FROM OUR EXPERTS AND PUBLIC 
HEALTH AUTHORITIES THAT WE MUST 
CONTINUE TO MAKE THE 
RESPONSIBLE CHOICES AND LIMIT 
OUR MOVEMENTS AND SEEMS TO ME 
THAT IT'S FAIRLY CLEAR THAT 
PARLIAMENT SHOULD NOT RETURN IN 
THE SAME MANNER AS BEFORE, 
STARTING TOMORROW.
I VERY MUCH BELIEVE THAT I'S 
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE 
TO SUPPORT OUR DEMOCRACY AND 
KEEP OUR  *INS USING -- 
INSTITUTIONS WORKING AND I'M 
WILLING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
I TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA 
EVERY DAY AND I THINK 
OPPOSITION M.P.s SHOULD HAVE 
THE CHANCE TO ALSO ASK 
QUESTIONS AS WELL AND THAT IS 
WHY WE MADE A PROPOSAL THAT 
SEEMS VERY REASONABLE TO ALL 
THE OTHER PARTIES BUT THE 
CONSERVATIVES.
I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK HIM, 
ASK THEM WHAT THEIR APPROACH IS.
AND WHY THEY'RE UNREASONABLE IN 
THIS SITUATION.
>> Prime Minister Trudeau:s 
WE'RE IN A SITUATION RIGHT NOW 
WHERE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH 
AUTHORITIES, OUR EXPERTS AND 
COMMON SENSE TELLS US WE NEED 
TO CONTINUE TO LIMIT OUR 
MOVEMENTS, WE NEED TO CONTINUE 
TO WORK FROM HOME.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO 
EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE 
THAT PEOPLE ARE KEPT SAFE FROM 
FURTHER SPREAD OF THIS PANDEMIC.
THAT'S WHY IT WOULD BE 
IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOUSE OF 
COMMONS TO RESUME TOMORROW, AS 
SCHEDULED, ON APRIL 20 WITH 338 
M.P.s, THEIR STAFF, SUPPORT 
STAFF IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, 
SECURITY, PEOPLE COMING IN FROM 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT THIS 
PARTICULAR POINT.
WE HAVE PROPOSED, AND IT HAS 
BEEN ACCEPTED BY -- LARGELY 
ACCEPTED BY THE OTHER 
OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT WE 
SHOULD HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY 
MEASURES.
WE SHOULD HAVE PARLIAMENT THAT 
FUNCTIONS, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT 
RESPONSIBLY.
THAT'S WHY COMING BACK EVERY 
WEEK FOR QUESTIONS AND FOR WORK 
ON PASSING NEW LEGISLATION IS 
SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS 
REASONABLE AND IS ACCEPTABLE TO 
MOST PARTIES.
I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN OUR 
DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC 
INSTITUTIONS AND OUR PRINCIPLES 
AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE 
ACCOUNTABILITY.
I'M PERFECTLY HAPPY TO BE TAKE 
QUESTIONS EVERY DAY FROM MEDIA 
AND LOOKING TO WARD TO TAKING 
QUESTIONS FROM OPPOSITION 
PARTIES BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE 
IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY AND RIGHT 
NOW THE CONSERVATIVES ARE NOT 
TAKING A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH.
>> THANK YOU.
MERCI.
QUESTION?
OPERATOR: NEXT QUESTION, 
CANADIAN PRESS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> Reporter: YES, PRIME 
MINISTER.
THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO US.
THE N.D.P. IS ASKING FOR, IN 
TERMS OF PARLIAMENTARY SITINGS, 
ONE IN-PERSON DAY AND TWO 
VIRTUAL SITINGS.
YOU PROPOSED ONLY ONE VIRTUAL 
SITTING.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY TWO IS 
UNACCEPTING?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: I 
THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE 
HAVE IN-PERSON SITINGS AND ONE 
A WEEK SEEMS ABOUT THE RIGHT 
NUMBER IN A REDUCED FASHION.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE BEEN CLEAR 
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT WE 
THINK THERE SHOULD BE VIRTUAL 
SITTINGS TO ALLOW 
PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY WHO AREN'T WITHIN 
DRIVING DISTANCE OF OTTAWA TO 
CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE AND 
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE BEEN 
PUSHING FOR VIRTUAL SITTINGS.
WE HEARD THAT THEY ARE 
INCAPABLE OF STANDING UP 
VIRTUAL SITTINGS FOR THIS 
COMING WEEK.
BUT WE ARE VERY OPEN TO 
INCREASING THEM OVER THE 
SUBSEQUENT WEEKS BECAUSE IT'S 
IMPORTANT THAT WE BE ABLE TO 
HEAR FROM ALL PARLIAMENTARIANS.
>> Reporter: AND THERE IS 
REPORT OF A DEAL THAT HAS BEEN 
REACHED.
CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT A DEAL HAS 
BEEN REACHED WITH THE 
OPPOSITION PARTIS?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: I 
CAN'T CONFIRM ANYTHING LIKE 
THAT.
AS I CAME OUT THIS MORNING, I 
HEARD THAT WE WERE VERY CLOSE 
ON IT.
BUT I HAVEN'T IN THE PAST HALF 
HOUR GOT NOTICE THAT THERE WAS 
A DEAL.
IT SEEMS REASONABLE THAT WE CAN 
AGREE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A 
PARLIAMENT FUNCTIONING 
RESPONSIBLY IN THIS DIFFICULT 
TIME.
MOST PARTIES HAVE RESPONSIBLE 
PROPOSALS FORWARD AND I 
CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THE 
CONSERVATIVES WILL AGREE TO 
DOING THE RESPONSIBLE THING 
HERE.
OPERATOR: [SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Interpreter: NOW THE VIRTUAL 
SITINGS.
WHAT WOULD THEY LOOK LIKE IN 
CONCRETE TERMS, MR. TRUDEAU?
WELL, THERE ARE VARIOUS 
PROPOSALS THAT THE HOUSE OF 
COMMONS IS LOOKING AT NOW.
THE IDEA IS FOR MEMBERS OF 
PARLIAMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY 
TO MAKE SPEECHES AND ASK 
QUESTIONS VIA VIDEO 
CONFERENCING WITH THE SAME 
RIGHTS AND ABILITY TO SPEAK AS 
PEOPLE CURRENT WILL I HAVE 
INSIDE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
THERE WOULD BE SOME IN THE 
HOUSE AND OTHER M.P.s ATTENDING 
VIRTUALLY.
THAT IS WHY THE HOUSE OF 
COMMONS HAS ASKED FOR MORE TIME 
TO GET THIS READY.
IN YOUR SPEECH, YOU SAID THAT 
THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES ARE GOING 
THROUGH A TERRIBLE TIME AND 
PREMIER LEGAULT SAID YESTERDAY 
THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WAS NOT 
PROPERLY PREPARED FOR THIS 
PANDEMIC.
YOU SAID IN THE PAST THAT THERE 
WILL BE A TIME FOR A POSTMORTEM.
AFTER A MONTH OF THIS CRISIS, 
THERE ARE QUESTION ASKED ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY.
DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR 
GOVERNMENT WAS ADEQUATELY 
PREPARED FOR THIS PANDEMIC?
I THINK WHEN WE'RE IN THE 
MIDDLE OF THE CRISIS AND 
WITNESS THE TRAGEDIES, WE WILL 
NEVER FULLY BE PREPARED.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW THAT 
CANADIAN AND THE DIFFERENT 
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND 
ORGANISATIONS AND EVERYONE HAVE 
COME TOGETHER TO TRY AND PUT IN 
PLACE MEASURES TO PROTECT 
PEOPLE AND SLOW THE SPREAD OF 
THIS VIRUS.
IN A POSITIVE WAY COMPARED TO 
OTHER COUNTRIES.
BUT EVEN IF WE END UP HAVING A 
BETTER HISTORY THAN OTHER 
COUNTRIES, LET'S NOT FORGET 
THIS IS A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY FOR 
TOO MANY FAMILIES OUT THERE AND 
WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO 
DO OUR VERY BEST TO ENSURE THAT 
WE COME OUT OF THIS TRAGEDY AND 
THIS CRISIS WITHOUT TOO MANY 
ADDITIONAL TRAGEDIES.
COULD YOU TELL ME WHY THREE 
IN-PERSON SITINGS PER WEEK WITH 
REDUCED NUMBERS IS UNREASONABLE?
WELL, I THINK WE KNOW THAT ALL 
PARLIAMENTARIANS CANNOT RETURN 
TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN 
PROVINCES THAT ARE FAR AWAY 
FROM OTTAWA AND CANNOT RETURN.
AND THAT IS WHY WE'VE BEEN 
SAYING IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO 
HAVE VIRTUAL SITTINGS SO THAT 
PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE IN ORDER 
TO REPRESENT THEIR COMMUNITY 
DURING THIS CRISIS.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN BEING 
THERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS 
REGULARLY, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT 
FOR DEMOCRACY AND OUR CANADIANS.
IT'S FINE TO TAKE MEDIA 
QUESTIONS HERE.
I DO THAT ABOUT EVERY DAY AND 
PARLIAMENTARIANS HAVE A ROLE TO 
PLAY AND THE PROPOSAL WE MADE 
FOR A SESSION OR A SITTING 
EVERY WEEK WAS ACCEPTED BY MOST 
OF THE PARTIES AS BEING A 
REASONABLE COMPROMISE DURING 
THIS CRISIS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER 
THAT PEOPLE ARE ELECTED FROM 
ALL CORNERS OF THIS COUNTRY TO 
BE THEIR COMMUNITY'S VOICE IN 
PARLIAMENT.
PARTICULARLY IN A CRIME OF 
CRISIS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK 
AT VIRTUAL WAYS THAT ALLOW 
MEMBERS FROM EVERY CORNER OF 
THE COUNTRY TO ENGAGE IN 
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE AND 
DISCUSSION AND NOT JUST THOSE 
WHO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO 
PROXIMITY TO BE AROUND THE 
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION.
THAT IS WHY WE'VE BEEN PUSHING 
THE VIRTUAL SITTINGS.
WE KNOW THAT ACCOUNTABILITY IS 
IMPORTANT AND TAKING QUESTIONS 
EVERY DAY FROM THE MEDIA IS A 
GOOD THING.
BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT 
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND OPPOSITION 
POLITICIANS GO ET TO ASK 
QUESTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT 
WHICH IS WHY WE PROPOSED 
PARLIAMENTS SIT EVERY FWHAOEK 
REDUCED FASHION AND THAT IS A 
PROPOSAL THAT WAS ACCEPTED BY 
MOST PARTIES.
THE CONSERVATIVES STILL NEED TO 
WORK ON IT A LITTLE BIT IN 
TERMS OF THEIR OWN REFLECTION.
>> Interpreter: WOULD YOU BE 
OPEN TO THERE BEING SEVERAL 
VIRTUAL SITINGS PER WEEK ONCE 
THAT STARTS HAPPENING, THREE OR 
FOUR, FOR EXAMPLE?
RIGHT NOW THE OPPOSITION PARTIS 
CAN NOT ASK YOU TO ACCOUNT 
EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND THAT IS WHY THEY'RE UNHAPPY.
WOULD YOU BE IN FAVOUR OF 
SEVERAL VIRTUAL SITTINGS?
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE 
PROPOSALS MADE BY THE 
OPPOSITION PARTIES AND THE 
ISSUES THEY ARE RAISING IN 
TERMS OF CRITICIZING THE 
GOVERNMENT ARE, YOU KNOW, HEAR 
IN THE MEDIA AND WE HAVE 
ADJUSTED OUR PROPOSAL AND ARE 
TRYING TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE 
DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO 
RESPOND TO REAL NEEDS ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY.
WE ARE COMING TO FUNCTIONING 
PARLIAMENT.
IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT 
THAT BE THE CASE.
THAT IS WHY WE'RE TRYING TO 
FIND A SOLUTION AND I CAN TELL 
YOU THAT MOST OPPOSITION PARTY 
DOS AGREE, ONLY THE 
CONSERVATIVES MAY FORCE US TO 
COME BACK TOMORROW MORNING WITH 
338 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
>> Reporter: YOU JUST SAID THAT 
YOU RESPECT PARLIAMENT AND 
BELIEVE IN ACCOUNTABILITY.
WHY IS YOUR PARTY STILL 
HALLINGING AT THE LAST MINUTE 
OVER TERMS OF THE SITTING.
WHY IS THIS SO COMPLICATED?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau:s WE 
HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT FROM THE 
VERY BEGINNING WHERE I SAID WE 
HAVE A PROPOSAL TO BRING BACK 
PARLIAMENT EVERY SINGLE WEEK 
AND ENSURE THAT WE'RE EXPANDING 
AND LOOKING AT VIRTUAL SITTINGS 
AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
THIS HAS BEEN OUR POSITION AND 
WE'RE  CONSISTENTLY ON THAT 
POSITION.
MOST OPPOSITION PARTIES FOUND 
THIS TO BE REASONABLE.
THERE IS ONE PARTY, AND BECAUSE 
THE HOUSE IS SCHEDULED TO 
RESUME TOMORROW MORNING, THERE 
IS REQUIRED TO BE UNANIMOUS 
CONSENT BY THE PARTIES TO NOT 
COME BACK TOMORROW MORNING AND 
THE CONSERVATIVES ARE NOT 
WANTING TO BE REASONABLE IN 
THIS, I THINK.
>> Reporter: AUSTRALIA AND 
OTHER COMPANIES ARE CALLING FOR 
AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION 
INTO THE ORIGINS OF COVID-19 
OUTBREAK IN CHINA.
YOU SAID THIS IS NOT THE TIME 
TO POINT FINGERS OR ASSIGN 
BLAME.
ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF THIS 
INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE AND 
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT CHINA 
RESPONDED AND REPORTED 
ADEQUATELY?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: I 
THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE 
UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED AND 
ASK TOUGH QUESTIONS OF ALL 
COUNTRIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING 
CHINA.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED 
TO PURSUE.
MY PRIORITY RIGHT NOW AND THE 
PRIORITY FOR COUNTRIES AROUND 
THE WORLD NEEDS TO BE DOING 
EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP OUR 
PEOPLE SAFE AND MAKE SURE THAT 
WE HAVE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY 
TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND GET 
THROUGH THIS.
AND THAT WILL ALWAYS BE MY 
FOCUS.
[SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Interpreter: WE RECOGNIZE 
THAT THERE ARE IMPORTANT 
QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED AND THERE 
NEEDS TO BE REFLECTION ON WHAT 
HAPPENED AND WHAT KIND OF 
RESPONSIBILITY SOME  COUNTRIES 
HAVE, INCLUDING CHINA.
BUT OUR PRIORITY MUST BE HOW 
WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT OUR OWN 
CITIZENS NOW AND TOMORROW.
HOW WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE HAVE 
EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KEEP 
OURSELVES SAFE.
>> Reporter: PRIME MINISTER, A 
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY NEAR 
MONTREAL HAS CONFIRMED DOZENS 
OF COVID-19 CASES AND THE SAME 
IS TRUE WITH OTHER FACILITIES 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING 
ONE NEAR VANCOUVER.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO PROTECT 
THE INCARCERATED POPULATION AND 
THE STAFF IN THESE FACILITIES 
TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: FROM 
THE BEGINNING, SERVICE CANADA 
HAS TAKEN MEASURES TO PROTECT 
STAFF AND INMATES IN THESE 
FACILITIES, INCLUDING 
ELIMINATING VISITS, REDUCING 
TRANTIONER IFS, LOOKING AT 
MEASURES INCLUDING STAGGERED 
TIMETABLES TO KEEP INMATES AND 
STAFF MORE SEPARATE FROM EACH 
OTHER, ENSURING THAT THERE ARE 
DIFFERENT MECHANISMS IN PLACE 
AND THOSE REFLECTIONS ARE 
ONGOING.
WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW 
WAYS TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF 
THOSE CANADIANS IN THOSE 
FACILITIES.
>> Reporter: SOME PROVINCES 
HAVE HAD TO CUT  ELECTIVE 
SURGERIS IN HOSPITALS TO MANAGE 
COVID-19 PATIENTS OR PREPARE 
FOR THEM.
CANADA'S ALREADY -- CANADA 
ALREADY HAS LONG WAIT LISTS FOR 
SOME PROCEDURES.
IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOING 
TO ASSIST PROVINCES TO MAKE 
SURE THAT THESE EXISTING 
BACKLOGS AREN'T AMPLIFIED 
WASN'T WE'RE THROUGH THIS?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: WE 
HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF 
CONFIDENCE THAT PROVINCES ARE 
GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO 
MANAGE THEIR HEALTH CARE 
SYSTEMS APPROPRIATELY.
WE SENT THEM HALF A BILLION IN 
NEW RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT 
THEY'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH 
THIS CRISIS.
ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS THROUGH 
THIS CRISIS WAS ENSURING THAT 
IF MORE AND MORE PEOPLE GOT 
INFECTED, THERE WOULD STILL BE 
EMERGENCY BEDS FOR THEM.
THERE WOULD STILL BE INTENSIVE 
CARE UNITS AVAILABLE FOR THEM 
TO DEAL WITH THE VERY REAL 
CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 AND 
PREVENT THE DEATH RATES FROM 
SKYROCKETING AS THEY HAVE IN 
OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THEIR 
MEDICAL SYSTEMS WERE 
OVERWHELMED.
I THINK CANADIANS UNDERSTAND 
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE IT 
THROUGH THIS CRISIS AS QUICKLY 
AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN GET BACK 
TO NORMAL.
BUT GETTING THROUGH IT AS 
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE MEANS BEING 
VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT WE'RE 
DOING RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: GOOD MORNING, IN 
AUSTRIA, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAVE 
A PLAN TO GET BUSINESSES 
RE-OPENED AND DOING IT IN A 
TWO-WEEK PROCESS.
THEY OPEN A SMALL BUSINESS, 
MONITOR FOR TWO WEEKS, IF THE 
CASES DON'T GO UP, THEY 
CONTINUE WITH HOTELS, 
RESTAURANTS, ETC.
PROVINCES HERE IN CANADA HAVE 
PLANS THAT THEY'RE ANNOUNCING 
ON HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO THAT.
I'M WONDERING WHAT THE 
COORDINATION IS BETWEEN YOUR 
GOVERNMENT AND THE PROVINCES.
WILL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUT 
A PLAN UP AND WHAT ARE YOU 
SAYING ACTION WHICH BUSINESSES 
SHOULD BE ABLE TO RE-OPEN AND 
WHEN?
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: MANY 
OF THE DECISIONS AROUND WHAT 
MAKES SENSE IN TERMS OF A 
CAREFUL RESTARTING OF THE 
ECONOMY ARE MUCH MORE 
APPROPRIATELY MADE AT THE 
PROVINCIAL LEVEL.
GIVEN BOTH PROVINCIAL 
AUTHORITIES AND THE REALITY 
THAT THE SHAPE OF THIS PANDEMIC 
IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT IN 
DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON 
COORDINATING WITH THE PROVINCES 
IS A SET OF PRINCIPLES AND 
APPROACHES THAT CAN BE APPLIED 
AT DIFFERENT MOMENTS AND IN 
DIFFERENT WAYS ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY.
WE WANT TO BE THERE TO ENSURE 
THAT THERE IS A TESTING 
CAPACITY, THAT WE ARE 
SUPPORTING ON CONTACT TRACING 
AND WE'RE REMAINING CONSISTENT 
IN THE MESSAGES THAT CANADIANS 
ARE HEARING FROM DIFFERENT 
ORDERS OF GOVERNMENT ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY, ABOUT HOW TO BE VERY, 
VERY CAREFUL TO NOT ALLOW FOR A 
RESURGE ENLS OF COVID-19 JUST 
AS RESTRICTIONS START BEING 
EASED.
THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE VERY 
MUCH LIVE WITH THE PROVINCES 
RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE LISTENING VERY CAREFULLY 
TO WHAT EXPERTS AND LOOKING 
VERY CAREFULLY AT WHAT IS 
WORKING AND HAS WORKED IN OTHER 
 JURISDICTIONS AND HOW AND IF 
THAT CAN BE ADAPTED TO US.
WE RECOGNIZED FROM THE BEGINING 
THAT WE HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY 
SLOWER.
WE WERE ABLE TO HOLD OFF THE 
PACE OF THE VIRUS IN CANADA FOR 
A FEW MORE WEEKS AND MANY OTHER 
PLACES AND, THEREFORE, WE CAN 
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LEARNING WHAT 
WORKS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS 
TO ADAPT IT TO CANADA.
WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY 
THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THAT'SING.
AGAIN, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IT 
'S NOT GOING TO SUDDENLY 
RE-OPEN IN ANY PART OF THE 
COUNTRY OVERNIGHT TO WHAT IT 
WAS BEFORE.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE 
VERY, VERY CAREFUL, VERY 
GRADUAL, VERY PROGRESSIVE IF WE 
ARE TO PREVEND THE KIND OF 
RESURGENCE THAT WOULD SEND US 
ALL BACK INTO LOCKDOWN AS WE 
WERE BEFORE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT 
WE'RE DOING NOW IS NOT FOR 
NOTHING.
THAT WE MANAGED TO GET THROUGH 
THIS WITH THE CONTAINMENT AND 
CONTROL APPROACHES THAT THE 
PROPER MEASURES WILL ALLOW FOR.
>> Interpreter: WE KNOW THAT 
PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHEN THIS 
IS GOING TO END AND WHEN WE CAN 
RELAX CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.
BUT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO 
BE VERY CAREFUL, TO DO THINGS 
PROPERLY AND GRADUALLY AND TO 
BE EXTREMELY VIGILANT.
WE'RE TAKING INSPIRATION FROM 
WHAT'S BEEN DONE ELSEWHERE IN 
THE WORLD AND THEIR SUCCESS AND 
THERE ARE CHALLENGES AS WELL.
IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE 
COUNTRY, AND CHOICES ARE BEING 
MADE AND NOT NECESSARILY THE 
SAME CHOICES.
AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, 
WE'RE TRYING TO CO-ORDINATE OUR 
EFFORTS SO THAT THE UNDERSTAND 
LYING PRINCIPLES WITH RESPECT 
TO THAT GRADUAL RECOVERY WILL 
BE ALLOWED THE SAME WAY ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY.
>>
>> Reporter: THERE ARE REPORTS 
OF 12 PEOPLE SICKENED IN 
ALBERTA AND OTHER PLACES OF THE 
COUNTRY FROM THAT.
SHOULD MEASURES BE IN PLACE TO 
MAKE SURE THAT RETURNING 
WORKERS ISOLATE WHETHER OR NOT 
THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS.
>> Prime Minister Trudeau: WE 
ALL UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT 
IS TO KEEP WORKERS IN ESSENTIAL 
BUSINESSES, WORKERS WHO 
CONTINUE TO WORK AS SAFE AS 
POSSIBLE.
SAFETY OF WORKERS, OF THEIR 
FAMILIES AS WELL NEEDS TO BE 
THE PRIMARY CONSIDERATION OF 
ANY GOVERNMENT AND I CERTAINLY 
EXPECT THAT TO BE THAT ONE AS 
WELL.
>> [SPEAKING FRENCH].
>> Rosemary: THE PRIME MINISTER 
OF CANADA WITH HIS DAILY 
BRIEFING, DAILY UPDATE ON HIS 
GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH TO 
FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC.
I'LL BRING IN THE CBC'S DAVID 
COCHRANE.
A COUPLE OF POINTS I WOULD 
MAKE, DAVID, FROM LISTENING TO 
THE PRIME MINISTER.
THERE IS NO ONE, NOT ANY PARTY 
THAT IS ASKING FOR ALL M. 
PERFORMs TO RETURN TOMORROW.
SO, THAT JUST IN CASE PEOPLE 
GOT THAT IMPRESSION.
AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT WOULD 
REQUIRE ALL 338 M.P.s TO COME 
TO OTTAWA TOMORROW.
THEY COULD CONTINUE TO DO THEIR 
PARLIAMENTARY WORK IN THEIR 
RIDINGS IF THEY CHOSE NOT TO 
COME.
BUT FURTHER TO THAT, AS THEY 
WERE SPEAKING, THE N.D.P. MADE 
CLEAR THAT NO MATTER WHAT 
HAPPENS TOMORROW THERE WILL 
ONLY BE THREE OF THE M.P.s HERE 
TOMORROW.
I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO GO AWAY 
WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY 
WILL SUDDENLY, IF THERE IS NO 
DEAL, BE 338 M.P.s IN THE HOUSE 
OF COMMONS.
THAT'S THE IMAGE THAT HE LEFT 
WITH PEOPLE AND THAT IS THE 
WRONG IMPRESSION.
>> Reporter: THEY ARE SAYING 
THAT CONSERVATIVES ARE NOT 
TAKING A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH 
WANTING A MINIMUM OF THREE 
IN-PERSON SITINGS A WEEK.
SO THEY CAN HAVE QUESTION 
PERIOD AS MUCH AS THEY WANT 
DURING THIS PANDEMIC, WANTING 
TO HOLD THE GOVERNMENT TO 
ACCOUNT FOR THE ACTIONS IT'S 
TAKE OR NOT TAKING.
THE GREENS WANTING TO GO 
COMPLETELY VIRTUAL AND THE 
LIBERALS AND THE N.D.P. HAVING 
AN AGREEMENT TO DO ONE DAY 
IN-PERSON AND THEN TWO DAYS 
VIRTUAL.
NO.
THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR ALL 
338 TO COME BACK AND NOBODY 
NECESSARILY WANTS THAT.
ABSENT AN AGREEMENT, IT IS 
POSSIBLE THAT AN UNDETERMINED 
NUMBER OF M. PERFORMs COULD 
COME BACK TO PARLIAMENT AND 
INSIST ON TAKING THEIR SEAT.
THERE WAS SOME UNPREDICTABILITY 
EVEN WHEN THERE WAS AN 
AGREEMENT TOS PA IT A SEVERAL 
WEEKS AGO.
SCOTT REID SHOWED UP TO PROTEST 
WHAT WAS BEING DONE.
SO NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING 
WITH PUBLIC PRONOUNCEMENTS 
BEING MADE BY POLITICAL LEADERS 
T. CONSERVATIVES ESSENTIALLY 
SAYING TRUDEAU IS NOT TAKING 
THE ACCOUNTABLE APPROACH AND IF 
HE CAN TAKE QUESTIONS FROM 
REPORTERS EVERY DAY AND 
MINISTERS CAN HOLD PRESS 
CONFERENCES EVERY DAY SITTING 
NEXT TO DR. TAM AND DR. NJOO, 
WHY CAN'T THEY GO DOWN THE HALL 
INTO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND 
GIVE SOME ANSWERS TO THE 
DULLY-ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE 
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ON THIS.
THE BULK OF THE PARTIES, WHICH 
IS THE MAJORITY OF THE M. 
PERFORMs, THINK THAT THE 
CONSERVATIVES ARE ASKING FOR 
TOO MUCH.
AND THE CONSERVATIVES SAYING 
THE GOVERNMENT GIVING TOO 
LITTLE.
>> Rosemary: OK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP WITH 
YOUR COVERAGE.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND WE'LL HAVE AN UPDATE ON 
WHETHER THEY'LL RETURN IN SOME 
WAY BY THE END OF THE DAY.
LET'S GO TO OUR BREAKING NEWS 
IN NOVA SCOTIA.
BECAUSE THE PRIME MINISTER ALSO 
TALKED ABOUT THAT.
SAYING THAT THANKS PEOPLE IN 
THE AREA AND POLICE FOR 
FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS SAYING 
THAT THE SUSPECT IN AN ACTIVE 
SHOOTER INVESTIGATION IS IN 
CUSTODY.
WE'RE TOLD THERE ARE MULTIPLE 
VICTIMS.
SHAINA LUCK IS LIVE IN GREAT 
VILLAGE, NOT FAR FROM WHERE THE 
EVENTS UNFOLDED.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?
>> Reporter: THE SHOOTER HAS 
BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE RCMP AS 
51-YEAR-OLD -- EXCUSE ME -- HIS 
LAST NAME IS WORTMAN AND IT HAS 
BEEN SUCH A -- GABRIEL WORTMAN 
-- IT'S SCAPED ME FROMM.
IT BEGAN LAST NIGHT IN 
PORTAPIQUE, PROBABLY ABOUT 10 
-- EXCUSE ME -- IT'S ABOUT 10 
MINUTES UP THE ROAD FROM WHERE 
I'M STANDING.
I'M STANDING IN GREAT VILLAGE 
RIGHT NOW.
PORTAPIQUE IS NOT TOO FAR AWAY.
IT BEGAN LAST NIGHT AROUND 
11:30.
WITH SOME KIND OF VIOLENT 
INCIDENT CAUSING MULTIPLE 
VICTIMS.
WE DON'T KNOW YET WHETHER THOSE 
VICTIMS ARE DEAD OR WHETHER 
THEY'RE INJURED.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THEM, 
WHETHER MULTIPLE VICTIMS MEANS 
TWO OR MORE.
WE DO KNOW THAT PROBABLY ABOUT 
AN HOUR AGO, MAYBE A LITTLE 
MORE THAN THAT, WORTMAN WAS 
APPREHENDED BY THE RCMP ON 
HIGHWAY 102.
HE WAS HEADING TOWARD HALIFAX 
IN DARTMOUTH.
I CAN TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT 
MORE ABOUT WORTMAN NOW.
WE KNOW THAT HE IS A DENTURIST.
THE RCMP AT ONE POINT SAID HE 
MIGHT HAVE ACCESS TO A REPLICA 
OR SOME CAR THAT LOOKED LIKE AN 
RCMP CAR OR RCMP UNIFORM BUT 
THEY WERE VERY CLEAR HE DOES 
NOT WORK FOR THE RCMP.
WE KNOW THAT HE IS A DENTURIST.
WE KNOW THAT HE OWNS MULTIPLE 
PROPERTIES AROUND NOVA SCOTIA.
INCLUDING SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN 
PORTAPIQUE.
GABRIEL WORTMAN HAS A BUSINESS 
IN DARTMOUTH, A DENTURIST 
BUSINESS.
SO, WE CAN TELL YOU THAT, YOU 
KNOW, HE IS -- WE'VE BEEN 
SPEAKING OVER THE PHONE WITH 
PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO 
TELL US THAT HE WAS FAIRLY WELL 
KNOWN WITHIN PORTAPIQUE.
SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT HE 
WAS WELL-LIKED.
SO THIS IS CERTAINLY AN 
UNFOLDING INCIDENT AND WE 
EXPECT TO GET MORE FROM THE 
RCMP THIS AFTERNOON.
>> Rosemary: DO WE HAVE A TIME 
FOR THAT YET?
ANY SENSE WHEN THAT MIGHT 
HAPPEN?
>> Reporter: NO, WE DON'T KNOW 
YET.
THE RCMP HAS BEEN GIVING US 
INFORMATION ALL MORNING.
THEY'VE BEEN USING TWITTER TO 
GET THAT OUT THERE AND THERE IS 
A PRESS CONFERENCE COMING BUT 
NO TIMELINE ON THAT AS OF YET.
>> Rosemary: I APPRECIATE THE 
NEW DETHEYS YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT 
THE SUSPECT, GABRIEL WORTMAN 
AND A  GENTLEMAN EARLIER SAID 
HE HEARD FIRES AND PROPANE 
BLOWING, MAYBE PROPANE ATTACHED 
TO THE HOMES.
BUT DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A SENSE 
OF HOW THINGS WERE UNFOLDING.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT 
POINT, THOUGH, ABOUT THE RCMP 
VEHICLE AND POTENTIALLY UNIFORM.
BECAUSE AT ONE POINT THE 
SUSPECT DID CHANGE CARS.
CAN YOU JUST TELL PEOPLE WHAT 
WE KNOW ABOUT THAT CAR?
>> Reporter: WE KNOW THAT THE 
RCMP USED TWITTER, AS I'VE BEEN 
SAYING, THEY'VE BEEN USING THAT 
A LOT.
THE SUSPECT WAS TRAVELING IN AN 
RCMP -- WHAT LOOKED LIKE AN 
RCMP VEHICLE AND WHAT LOOKED 
LIKE AN RCMP UNIFORM.
WE DON'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT 
HOW HE GOT THOSE ITEMS OR WHERE 
EXACTLY THEY CAME FROM, WHETHER 
THEY WERE LEGITIMATE ITEMS OR 
NOT.
BUT HE WAS TRAVELING IN AN RCMP 
VEHICLE AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER 
THAT, THE RCMP TOLD US THAT HE 
HAD SWITCHED TO A SILVER S.U.V. 
CHEVY TRACKER.
WE BELIEVE THAT'S HOW IT PLAYED 
OUT.
>> Rosemary: THANK YOU VERY 
MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.
WE'LL KEEP COMING TO YOU 
THROUGH THE DAY FOR MORE 
DETAILS.
WE'LL END NOW OUR SPECIAL 
COVERAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S 
RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 
PANDEMIC BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO 
TRACK THE BREAKING NEWS OUT OF 
NOVA SCOTIA.
THE SUSPECT NOW IN CUSTODY.
I'M ROSEMARY BARTON.
MICHAEL SERAPIO PICKS UP OUR 
COVERAGE ON CBC NEWS NETWORK.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
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[PLEASE STAND BY
