 
BE TAKING QUESTIONS?
I'M SURE TOP OF MIND AS WELL FOR
A LOT OF PEOPLE IS THIS CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CONTROVERSY AROUND 
THE We CHARITY. 
>> Rosemary: YEAH, SO THIS IS IN
THE WEST BLOCK, JUST SO PEOPLE 
KNOW, THIS IS WHERE THE HAWMS IS
SITUATED RIGHT NOW.
YES, HE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS.
OBVIOUSLYOUSE OF
COMMONS IS SITUATED RIGHT NOW.
YES, HE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS.
OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE QUESTIONS 
ABOUT THIS MONEY BEING PUT ON 
THE TABLE AND HOW THAT WILL BE 
USED, BUT UNDOUBTEDLY HE WILL 
GET QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OTHER 
PART OF THE STORY.
THAT IS WHY THE PRIME MINISTER 
CAME OUT ON MONDAY -- ALL OF THE
QUESTIONS THAT DAY WERE ABOUT 
THE INVESTIGATION BY THE ETHICS 
COMMISSIONER INTO A POTENTIAL 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEN THE
PRIME MINISTER, HIS FAMILY, AND 
THE We CHARITY.
THAT'S WHAT HE ADDRESSED ON 
MONDAY, APOLOGIZING, SAYING THAT
HE HAD MADE A MISTAKE, THAT HE 
TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THERE HAVE 
BEEN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON THAT 
STORY, PERHAPS MOST NOTABLY THAT
THE ETHICS COMMISSIONER SAYS HE 
WILL NOW INVESTIGATE THE FINANCE
MINISTER AND A POTENTIAL 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST THERE 
BECAUSE THE FINANCE MINISTER, 
BILL MORNEAU, ALSO HAD TO 
APOLOGIZE FOR NOT RECUSING 
HIMSELF FROM THE CABINET TABLE 
WHEN THAT DECISION WAS MADE 
BECAUSE HIS DAUGHTER ACTUALLY 
WORKS FOR THE CHARITY, FOR THE 
ORGANIZATION.
SO THERE'S NOW ANOTHER 
INVESTIGATION FROM THE ETHICS 
COMMISSIONER ON THE SAME FILE.
I SHOULD SAY ON THE SAME DAY AS 
THIS IS HAPPENING, WE'RE 
EXPECTING A PARLIAMENTARY 
COMMITTEE HEARING TO GET 
UNDERWAY.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS GOING 
TO BE THE FIRST PARLIAMENTARY 
COMMITTEE TO START TACKLING THIS
AND THEY'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM 
BARDISH CHAGGER WHO IS THE 
MINISTER WHO WAS AND WILL BE 
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM 
WHATEVER IT LOOKS LIKE GOING 
FORWARD.
BARDISH CHAGGER HAS GIVEN AN 
INTERVIEW, FOR INSTANCE, TO MY 
COLLEAGUE VASSY KAPELOS.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE WE HAVEN'T 
HEARD FROM YET IS FROM THE 
DEPUTY MINISTER OF THE 
DEPARTMENT THAT HAPPEN 
RECOMMENDED THAT We ADMINISTER 
THIS PROGRAM AND SHE IS ALSO 
EXPECTED TO TESTIFY BECAUSE OF 
COURSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID 
THROUGHOUT THAT THIS WAS THE 
PUBLIC SERVICE'S IDEA, THAT THEY
TURNED TO THIS ORGANIZATION, 
THAT IT WAS BEST EQUIPPED TO 
ADMINISTER THESE GRANTS FOR 
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS.
THAT IS ALSO HAPPENING.
AND TOMORROW THERE IS AN ETHICS 
COMMITTEE SET TO HEAR FROM 
PEOPLE AND GET DOCUMENTS AROUND 
THIS AS WELL.
THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING IN 
OTTAWA FOR A WEEK IN JULY AND ON
A LOT OF IMPORTANT TOPICS.
THIS ONE, THE PRIME MINISTER 
REALLY TRYING TO GET BACK TO 
FOCUSING ON THE PANDEMIC AND THE
GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THIS 
PANDEMIC AND THIS PART.
INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS BOTH 
PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ECONOMY, 
TRYING TO TACKLE THOSE ISSUES 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> Asha: IT IS 2:32 EASTERN, 
ROSIE, AND WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY 
REAL ACTION YET WITH THIS NEWS, 
CONFERENCE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO 
STAY ON IT BECAUSE OF COURSE WE 
WANT TO BRING IT TO YOU AS SOON 
AS IT BEGINS OUT THERE TO KNOW 
ALL OF THE DETAILS, BUT CAN YOU 
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT 
THIS RESTART PLAN AND PERHAPS 
SOME OTHER DETAILS YOU MIGHT BE 
FINDING OUT OBJECT.
>> Rosemary: WE'RE GOING TO WANT
TO KEEP OUR EARS OUT FOR 
PREMIERS AND MAYORS AFTER WE 
HEAR THESE DETAILS.
PREMIERS WOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF
THESE NEGOTIATIONS AND DOUG FORD
IS SET TO SPEAK AT 3:30 EASTERN.
>> Asha: WE WILL HAVE THAT LIVE.
>> Rosemary: AFTER HIS FIRST 
HAIRCUT.
AND MAYORS AND PREMIERS ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY WILL HAVE REACTIONS 
TO THE DEAL.
WHEN THE $14 BILLION WAS 
INITIALLY PROPOSED BY OTTAWA, BY
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, DOUG 
FORD, FOR INSTANCE, HIS REACTION
WAS THIS ISN'T ENOUGH, WE ARE 
GOING TO NEED SIGNIFICANTLY 
MORE.
I THINK THAT IS SORT OF THE 
TENDENCY OF PROVINCES TO SAY 
THEY ALWAYS NEED MORE.
EVEN THOUGH THE RELATIONSHIP 
BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 
AND PROVINCES HAS BEEN GOOD OVER
THE PAST NUMBER OF MONTHS 
MANAGING THIS PANDEMIC, 
CERTAINLY THERE IS A NEED, THE 
PROVINCES BELIEVE, FOR INCREASED
FUNDING TO A BROAD RANGE OF 
ISSUES.
ONE OF THEM WOULD BE HEALTH 
CARE.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT IS A 
ONE-TIME TRANSFER TO DEAL WITH 
SOME IMMEDIATE ISSUES, BUT 
UNDOUBTEDLY THERE WILL HAVE TO 
BE FURTHER CONVERSATIONS DOWN 
THE ROAD OF MORE SIGNIFICANT 
HEALTH CARE INCREASE IN FUNDING 
FOR PROVINCES MOVING FORWARD TO 
DEAL WITH THE VULNERABILITIES 
AND PROBLEMS THAT THE PANDEMIC 
HAS EXPOSED.
SO WE'LL WANT TO SEE WHAT THE 
REACTION IS CERTAINLY, BUT THIS 
WAS A NEGOTIATION AND THERE HAVE
BEEN CALLS BETWEEN THE PRIME 
MINISTER AND PREMIERS WEEKLY 
SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.
WE KNOW THAT THE DEPUTY PRIME 
MINISTER WHO WILL BE AT THIS 
PRESS CONFERENCE HAS BEEN 
HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THOSE 
NEGOTIATIONS AS WELL AND WE KNOW
THAT SHE TAKES REGULAR PHONE 
CALLS FROM THE PREMIERS TO TRY 
AND ADDRESS SOME OF THEIR MORE 
PRESSING ISSUES.
THE FACT THAT THEY'VE MANAGED TO
REACH AN AGREEMENT, A GOOD SIGN 
FOR THE PROVINCES AS THEY COME 
DOWN TO BRASS TACKS TO TACKLE 
THIS.
>> Asha: HERE HE IS, PRIME 
MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU, ROSIE, 
SO WE'LL TAKE A LISTEN TO WHAT 
HE HAS TO SAY.
>> Prime Minister Justin 
Trudeau: HELLO, EVERYONE.
FROM THE OUTSET, OUR GOVERNMENT 
HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE 
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES TO 
SUPPORT CANADIANS DURING THE 
PANDEMIC.
FIGHT COVID-19 HAS ALWAYS BEEN A
TEAM CANADA EFFORT AND IT 
CONTINUES TO BE AS WE MOVE INTO 
THE RECOVERY PHASE.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR 
PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL 
PARTNERS TO OUTLINE WHAT NEEDS 
TO BE DONE OVER THE NEXT SIX TO 
EIGHT MONTHS TO SAFELY RESTART 
OUR ECONOMY.
TODAY, I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO 
SHARE.
OUR GOVERNMENT WILL INVEST OVER 
$19 BILLION TO ENSURE THE 
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES HAVE 
THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO PROTECT
THE HEALTH OF CANADIANS, HELP 
PEOPLE GET BACK TO WORK SAFELY, 
AND PREPARE FOR A POTENTIAL 
SECOND WAVE.
AS PART OF THIS AGREEMENT, WE'VE
OUTLINED SEVEN PRIORITY AREAS ON
WHICH TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS, LIKE
INCREASED TESTING AND CONTACT 
TRACING, SECURING MORE PERSONAL 
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, AND MORE 
SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE,
INCLUDING FOR SENIORS IN 
LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND 
NURSING HOMES.
BUT COVID-19 ISN'T JUST A HEALTH
CRISIS, IT'S AN ECONOMIC CRISIS 
TOO.
SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE 
RECOVERY PHASE, IT'S NOT JUST TO
DETECT, CONTROL, AND PREVENT 
FUTURE OUTBREAKS, IT'S ALSO 
ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE, 
BUSINESSES, AND ENTIRE 
COMMUNITIES ADJUST TO OUR NEW 
NORMAL.
BECAUSE UNTIL WE FIND A VACCINE,
THE DAILY THREAT OF COVID-19 
WILL NOT DISAPPEAR.
IN ADDITION TO BUYING MORE 
P.P.E. SO WORKERS CAN FOLLOW 
PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES AT THE 
OFFICE, WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE 
SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN GET TO WORK
SAFELY, THAT CHILDREN ARE LOOKED
AFTER, AND THOSE WHO CAN'T FIND 
WORK RIGHT AWAY ARE SUPPORTED.
SO MAKING SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH 
SAFE CHILD CARE SPACES AVAILABLE
OR SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO DON'T 
HAVE PAID SICK LEAVE, THOSE MUST
BE TOP PRIORITIES TOO.
THIS AGREEMENT ALSO INCLUDES 
MORE SUPPORT FOR MUNICIPALITIES.
OUR TOWNS AND CITIES HAVE BEEN 
AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONDING 
TO COVID-19.
CITIES MUST REMAIN UP AND 
RUNNING IF OUR ECONOMY IS TO GET
UP AND RUNNING.
IF CITIES AREN'T EQUIPPED FOR A 
SAFE RESTART, PEOPLE WON'T BE 
SAFE.
THAT'S WHY TODAY'S AGREEMENT 
PROVIDES MUNICIPALITIES WITH 
FUNDING TO COVER OPERATIONAL 
COSTS.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO GIVE MORE 
SUPPORT TO TRANSIT SPECIFICALLY.
IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE ECONOMY, THEY NEED TO GET
TO WORK SAFELY.
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO TURN DOWN 
A JOB BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO
RISK THEIR HEALTH IN A CROWDED 
COMMUTE.
INVESTMENTS IN TRANSIT WILL BE 
SHARED EVENLY BETWEEN THE 
FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL 
GOVERNMENTS.
AS WE PREPARE OUR ECONOMIC 
RECOVERY, ALL ORDERS OF 
GOVERNMENT KNOW WE HAVE TO KEEP 
WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP PEOPLE 
SAFE.
ON THAT NOTE, I WANT TO THANK 
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER FREELAND, 
THE PREMIERS, AND OFFICIALS WHO 
HAVE WORKED HARD TO SUPPORT 
CANADIANS AND LAY THE GROUNDWORK
FOR OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY WITH 
THIS AGREEMENT.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] OVER THE LAST WEEK 
WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE 
GOVERNMENTS OF PROVINCES AND 
TERRITORIES TO DECIDE ON WHAT WE
NEED TO DO IN THE SIX TO EIGHT 
MONTHS TO SAFELY RESTART THE 
ECONOMY.
TODAY I HAVE GOOD NEWS.
OUR GOVERNMENT WILL INVEST MORE 
THAN $19 BILLION TO HELP 
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES TO 
HAVE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO 
PROTECT THE HEALTH OF CANADIANS 
AND TO HELP PEOPLE GET BACK TO 
WORK AND PREPARE FOR A POTENTIAL
SECOND WAVE.
AS PART OF THIS AGREEMENT, WE 
HAVE SEVEN PRIORITY SECTORS 
WHERE WE NEED TO FOCUS.
WE HAVE TO INCREASE TESTING AND 
CONTACT TRACING, PROVIDE FOR 
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, 
AND PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO THE 
MOST VULNERABLE, ESPECIALLY 
SENIORS IN LONG-TERM CARE 
FACILITIES AND NURSING HOMES.
COVID-19 IS NOT ONLY A HEALTH 
CRISIS, IT IS ALSO AN ECONOMIC 
CRISIS.
TO DEAL WITH IT, NOT ONLY DO WE 
HAVE TO IMPROVE OUR CAPACITY TO 
DETECT, HEAL, AND PREVENT 
COVID-19, WE MUST ALSO HELP 
PEOPLE, ENTERPRISES, AND 
COMMUNITIES TO ADAPT TO A NEW 
NORMAL BECAUSE THE THREAT OF 
COVID-19 WILL REMAIN PRESENT FOR
AS LONG AS THERE NO VACCINE.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BUY MORE 
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, 
FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO RESPECT
PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES AT WORK, 
BUT WE HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE GO TO
WORK SAFELY.
WE HAVE TO HELP THEM TAKE CARE 
OF THEIR CHILDREN AND MAKE SURE 
THAT THOSE WHO CANNOT WORK 
IMMEDIATELY RECEIVE SUPPORT.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE 
IS ENOUGH CHILD CARE SPACES FOR 
PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE PAID SICK 
LEAVE.
ALL OF THAT SHOULD BE PART OF 
OUR PRIORITY.
THE AGREEMENT SIGNED TODAY ALSO 
HAS NEW SUPPORT FOR 
MUNICIPALITIES, AS CITIES ARE AT
THE FOREFRONT OF THE FIGHT 
AGAINST COVID-19, AND THIS FROM 
THE VERY BEGINNING.
FOR A SAFE RESTART OF THE 
COMMUNITY, CITIES MUST HAVE THE 
TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO PREPARE, 
OTHERWISE, WE WILL BE PUTTING 
THE LIVES OFS PEOPLE AT RISK.
THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES MORE 
SUPPORT TO HELP MUNICIPALITIES 
WITH OPERATIONAL COSTS.
WE WILL ALSO INVEST IN TRANSIT 
BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO 
SAY NO TO WORK BECAUSE THEY 
DON'T WANT TO RISK THEIR HEALTH 
EVERY DAY.
INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORT AND 
MUNICIPALITIES WILL BE SHARED 
EQUALLY BETWEEN THE FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT AND THE PROVINCIAL 
GOVERNMENTS.
ALL ORDERS OF GOVERNMENT WILL 
CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO 
PREPARE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE 
ECONOMY RESTARTS.
CANADIANS CAN CONTINUE COUNTING 
ON US.
[end of translation] WITH SOME 
NEWS REGARDING THE U.S.-CANADA 
BORDER.
ONCE AGAIN, CANADA AND THE 
UNITED STATES HAVE AGREED TO 
EXTEND THE CURRENT BORDER 
MEASURES BY ONE MONTH UNTIL 
AUGUST 21.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING 
CLOSELY WITH OUR AMERICAN 
NEIGHBOURS TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE 
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] TO CONCLUDE TODAY, 
I HAVE SOME NEWS ABOUT THE 
U.S.-CANADA BORDER.
I CAN NOW CONFIRM THAT CANADA 
AND THE U.S. HAVE AGREED TO 
EXTEND CURRENT BORDER MEASURES 
ALREADY IN PLACE BY A MONTH UP 
TO AUGUST 21.
TOMORROW MINISTER MORNEAU WILL 
BE PROVIDING MORE DETAILS AGAIN 
ABOUT THE EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY
AND HE WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY 
ABOUT WAYS IN WHICH WE INTEND TO
PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO PEOPLE 
LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.
WE WILL BE HAVING MORE NEWS FROM
OPPOSITION PARTIES TOMORROW.
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR 
LISTENING TO US AND I NOW HAND 
OVER THE FLOOR TO DEPUTY PRIME 
MINISTER, CHRYSTIA FREELAND.
[end of translation]. 
>> Deputy Prime Minister 
Chrystia Freeland: TODAY IS A 
GREAT DAY AND I'M HAPPY TO TALK 
TO YOU ABOUT IT.
FROM THE START, A TEAM CANADA 
RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 
PANDEMIC HAS BEEN NOT ONLY 
DESIRABLE, BUT ESSENTIAL.
OUR SHARED PUBLIC HEALTH GOAL 
HAS BEEN TO GAVE THE LIVES OF 
CANADIANS, TO PROTECT THE HEALTH
OF CANADIANS, AND TO PREVENT OUR
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FROM BEING 
OVERWHELMED.
OUR SHARED ECONOMIC GOAL HAS 
BEEN TO ENSURE THAT NO CANADIAN 
GOES HUNGRY OR IS MADE HOMELESS 
BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC SLOW 
DOWN INEVITABLY CAUSED BY THE 
HEALTH CARE MEASURES WE HAVE 
TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THIS GLOBAL
PANDEMIC.
IN RESPONSE TO THOSE FIRST TWO 
PRIORITIES, TODAY WE ADD A 
THIRD.
THE SAFE RESTART OF OUR 
COUNTRY'S ECONOMY, SO FAMILIES 
IN EVERY PART OF CANADA CAN GET 
ON THEIR FEET FOR A WAY THAT IS 
SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE IN THE LONG
TERM.
THAT'S WHY I'M SO THRILLED THAT 
WE'RE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE 
SAFE RESTART AGREEMENT THAT THE 
GOVERNMENT HAS REACHED WITH THE 
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] TODAY'S AGREEMENT 
WILL HELP THE PROVINCES AND 
TERRITORIES WITH MILLIONS OF 
DOLLARS TO SUPPORT TOWNS AND 
MUNICIPALITIES.
WE KNOW THAT IF CITIES ARE NOT 
PROVIDED THE NECESSARY SUPPORT, 
CANADA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO 
SUPPORT.
WE ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT TO 
INCREASE TESTING, CONTACT 
TRACING, AND COLLECTING PUBLIC 
HEALTH DATA.
THESE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT 
CHALLENGES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, 
SUBSTANCE  ABUSE, AND 
HOMELESSNESS.
PROCUREMENT OF PERSONAL 
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR HEALTH 
CARE WORKERS, AND ALL OTHER 
ESSENTIAL WORKERS WILL BE TAKEN 
CARE OF.
THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN LONG-TERM 
CARE FACILITIES, THOSE WHO NEED 
HOME CARE AND PALLIATIVE CARE, 
ADDITIONAL SPACES IN CHILD CARE 
FACILITIES, AND WE WILL RESPOND 
TO THOSE WHO HAVE UNIQUE 
CHALLENGES BECAUSE OF THE 
PANDEMIC, PARTICULARLY WOMEN.
INTRODUCTION OF PAID SICK LEAVE 
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE IT SO 
WORKERS COULD TAKE UP TO 10 DAYS
OF SICK LEAVE IF THEY NEED IT.
[end of translation] THIS IS 
WHAT THE AGREEMENT WITH THE 
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES WILL 
DO.
CRITICALLY, IT WILL PROVIDE 
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SUPPORT 
FOR OUR TOWNS AND CITIES.
WE KNOW THAT IF OUR CITIES ARE 
NOT EQUIPPED FOR A SAFE RESTART,
INCLUDING WHEN IT COMES TO 
TRANSIT, CANADA WON'T BE EITHER.
IT WILL SUPPORT THE COSTS OF 
INCREASING TESTING CAPACITY, 
CONTACT TRACING, AND GATHERING 
PUBLIC HEALTH DATA.
IT WILL SUPPORT THE SIGNIFICANT 
DEMANDS ON PROVINCIAL AND 
TERRITORIAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS,
INCLUDING CRITICALLY SUPPORT FOR
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, 
AND HOMELESSNESS.
THIS AGREEMENT WILL HELP OUR 
COUNTRY BUY ENOUGH P.P.E. FOR 
HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND OTHER 
ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND BE READY 
IN THE EVENT OF A SECOND WAVE.
WE WILL HAVE ADDED SUPPORT FOR 
PEOPLE IN LONG-TERM CARE HOMES, 
HOME CARE, AND PALLIATIVE CARE.
THIS AGREEMENT WILL ADDRESS THE 
REDUCED AVAILABILITY OF CHILD 
CARE SPACES AND THE UNIQUE NEEDS
STEMMING FROM THE PANDEMIC, 
PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN AND 
MOTHERS.
AND IT WILL ESTABLISH SICK LEAVE
WHERE IT IS NOT ALREADY 
AVAILABLE ACROSS OUR COUNTRY SO 
EVERY WORKER CAN TAKE UP TO SIX 
DAYS OF SICK LEAVE IF THEY NEED 
IT TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH AND 
THE HEALTH OF THOSE AROUND THEM.
WE KNOW THAT THE COVID-19 
PANDEMIC HAS PROFOUNDLY 
DISRUPTED OUR SOCIETY AND 
ECONOMY AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO 
DO SO IN WAYS WE CANNOT PREDICT.
WE KNOW ONE THING, THOUGH.
WE CAN ONLY MEET THIS HUGE 
CHALLENGE EFFECTIVELY IF WE WORK
TOGETHER AS TEAM CANADA, IF WE 
SET ASIDE OUR PARTISAN DIVISIONS
AND WE ALL COME TOGETHER TO GET 
OUR COUNTRY THROUGH THIS.
THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH 
THE STATE OF RESTART AGREEMENT 
THAT WE'VE CONCLUDED TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE 
PREMIERS FROM THE PROVINCES AND 
TERRITORIES AND MAYORS ACROSS 
THE COUNTRY FOR GETTING THIS 
ACROSS THE COUNTRY FINISH LINE.
>> Prime Minister Justin 
Trudeau: [Speaking French] 
[Voice of Interpreter] WE ARE 
READY FOR YOUR QUESTIONS.
[end of translation]. 
>> WE WILL BE DOING A 15-MINUTE 
QUESTION PERIOD, ONE QUESTION 
AND ONE FOLLOW UP.
WE WILL START WITH JOURNALISTS 
ON THE PHONE. 
>> Operator: FIRST QUESTION 
CHARLIE PINKERTON I-POLITICS.
LINE OPEN. 
>> Question: GOOD AFTERNOON, 
PRIME MINISTER.
ON MAY 12, THE NATIONAL RESEARCH
COUNCIL ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP 
WITH A CHINESE PHARMACEUTICAL 
COMPANY TO START TRIALS FOR ITS 
VACCINE.
HEALTH CANADA GAVE THE NECESSARY
APPROVALS FOR TESTING.
THIS HAS NOT ARRIVED IN THE 
HANDS OF THE CANADIANS BECAUSE 
IT IS BEING HELD UP BY THE 
CHINESE CUSTOMS.
WHAT IS YOUR GOVERNMENT DOING TO
APPROVE THIS SHIPMENT?
>> Answer: THIS PARTICULAR 
APPROACH IS ONE THAT HAS WORKED 
WELL IN THE PAST.
THIS PARTNERSHIP CREATED 
SIGNIFICANT MEASURES AGAINST 
EBOLA A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO.
AS WE'RE LOOKING AT DEVELOPING A
VACCINE, WE'RE INVESTING IN MANY
DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO FIGURE 
OUT WHERE THAT VACCINE IS COMING
FROM.
CANADA HAS SOME OF THE TOP 
RESEARCHERS WORKING IN CANADA 
AND WITH PARTNERS AROUND THE 
WORLD.
WE'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW ALL THE 
DIFFERENT PATHS WE CAN TO ENSURE
WHEN A VACCINE IS DEVELOPED, 
CANADA WILL BE PART OF IT OR 
HAVE ACCESS TO IT.
WE'RE OBVIOUSLY CONTINUING TO 
WORK WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
TO ENSURE THAT THIS WORK CAN 
CONTINUE IN AN UNINTERRUPTED 
FASHION. 
>> FOLLOWING UP. 
>> Question: ALL RIGHT.
AND ABOUT THE SAME ACTUAL 
COMPANY, IT'S RECENTLY BEEN 
REPORTED THAT THEY'RE IN TALKS 
WITH COUNTRIES, INCLUDING 
RUSSIA, TO BEGIN SIMILAR TRIALS 
THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BEGIN IN 
CANADA MORE THAN A MONTH AGO.
WOULD YOUR GOVERNMENT RETHINK 
ITS AGREEMENT IF THEY ENTERED 
INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT IS BEING 
ACCUSED OF TRYING TO STEAL 
CANADA'S RESEARCH?
>> Answer: WE'RE ALL WORKING 
VERY HARD TO DEVELOP A VACCINE 
TO PUT AN END TO THIS GLOBAL 
PANDEMIC.
WE RECOGNIZE WE DON'T KNOW WHICH
COLLABORATION OR AREA OR COUNTRY
IS GOING TO DEVELOP THAT 
VACCINE, TO WE ARE WORKING WITH 
PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD.
WE WILL WORK EVERY STEP OF THE 
WAY AS HIGHLIGHTED TO PROTECT 
CANADIAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
AND THE HARD WORK OF OUR 
RESEARCHERS TO ENSURE WE ARE 
DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, BUT AT 
THE SAME TIME WE RECOGNIZE THE 
NEED FOR GLOBAL COLLABORATION IN
ORDER TO GET THROUGH THIS GLOBAL
PANDEMIC AND WE WILL GET THAT 
BALANCE RIGHT.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] WE DO UNDERSTAND 
THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO FIND A 
VACCINE.
WE DO NOT KNOW WHO WILL FIND A 
VACCINE, SO WE NEED TO 
PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS 
INITIATIVES.
THAT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE 
THAT CANADA CAN EVENTUALLY HAVE 
A VACCINE WHEN ONE IS FOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL 
CONTINUE PROTECTING CANADA'S 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND 
PREVENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE 
SPYING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
WE SHALL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR 
WAYS OF FINDING A BALANCE 
BETWEEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
AND PARTICIPATION IN INITIATIVES
WHICH COULD DIRECTLY BENEFIT 
CANADA AND THE WORLD.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRIME 
MINISTER.
[end of translation]. 
>> Question: ARE YOU WILLING TO 
TESTIFY AT A PARLIAMENTARY 
COMMITTEE ABOUT THE We CONTRACT?
>> Answer: I'M LOOKING FORWARD 
TO SPEAKING NEXT WEEK AT 
PARLIAMENT.
I KNOW THERE WILL BE A RANGE OF 
QUESTIONS FROM OPPOSITION 
PARTIES.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS NOW.
WE'VE RECEIVED AN INVITATION TO 
TESTIFY AT COMMITTEE, AND THE 
HOUSE LEADERSHIP TEAM IS LOOKING
AT THAT.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] AS I SAID, I REMAIN
OPEN TO ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM
THE OPPOSITION AND ALL PARTIES.
WE RECEIVED AN INVITATION AND WE
ARE CLOSELY STUDYING THAT 
REQUEST.
[end of translation]. 
>> Question: -- WHAT DOES THAT 
SAY IF YOU DIDN'T INFORM YOUR 
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ABOUT A 
CORE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP OF A 
CONTRACT OF NEARLY A BILLION 
DOLLARS.
>> Answer: THANK YOU FOR THE 
QUESTION AND IT'S NICE TO SEE 
YOU.
AS THE PRIME MINISTER HAS SAID, 
I THINK ALL OF US, EVERYONE IN 
OUR GOVERNMENT AND CABINET BEARS
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS 
SITUATION.
AND I'D LIKE TO SAY SPEAKING FOR
MYSELF THAT I ACCEPT THAT 
RESPONSIBILITY AND I VERY MUCH 
REGRET WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
AND I'D LIKE TO SAY TO 
CANADIANS, I'M REALLY SORRY.
WE HAVE SO MANY HUGE ISSUES 
FACING OUR COUNTRY.
CLEARLY OUR GOVERNMENT MADE A 
MISTAKE AND I WANT TO SAY TO 
PEOPLE WE'RE GOING TO LEARN FROM
IT.
IN TERMS OF HOW THE SITUATION 
WAS DISCUSSED, I THINK ALL 
CANADIANS KNEW THAT THE PRIME 
MINISTER AND HIS FAMILY HAD BEEN
INVOLVED WITH We.
I THINK THERE ARE VERY MANY 
CANADIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO
HAVE HAD CONNECTIONS WITH We, 
WHETHER IT'S SCHOOL CHILDREN IN 
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY OR LOTS OF OTHER 
CANADIANS.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE SPECIFIC 
FINANCIAL CONNECTIONS, THE PRIME
MINISTER HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR 
WITH CANADIANS THAT HE 
APOLOGIZES AND REGRETS HOW THE 
SITUATION DEVELOPED.
>> THANK YOU.
WE WILL GO TO THE PHONE.
>> Answer: I'M GLAD TO HAVE THE 
CHANCE TO REPEAT MYSELF IN 
FRENCH BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO 
ADD TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT THE 
PRIME MINISTER HAS MY COMPLETE 
CONFIDENCE.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO 
SERVE IN HIS CABINET AND TO 
SERVE CANADIANS.
[Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] REGARDING THE 
SITUATION WITH We, LET ME START 
BY SAYING THAT I AM VERY SORRY.
I AM COMPLETELY AWARE OF THE 
FACT THAT AS MINISTER OF THE 
CABINET AND AS THE DEPUTY PRIME 
MINISTER, I HAVE TO TAKE SOME 
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE 
SITUATION.
I REGRET THE SITUATION 
ABSOLUTELY.
I WANT TO APOLOGIZE BEFORE ALL 
CANADIANS FOR WHAT WE DID.
THANK YOU.
MAYBE REPEAT IN FRENCH THAT THE 
PRIME MINISTER ALSO STATED THAT 
HE REGRETS THE SITUATION.
LET ME ADD THAT THE PRIME 
MINISTER ENJOYS MY TOTAL 
CONFIDENCE AND IT IS A PRIVILEGE
FOR ME TO WORK WITH HIM AND IN 
OUR CABINET.
THANK YOU.
>> AS I SAID ON MONDAY, I DEEPLY
REGRET THE SITUATION.
I SHOULD HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM THE
DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING We.
I DID NOT DO THAT, AND AS A 
RESULT WE ARE FACING MORE 
CHALLENGES PROVIDING 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, 
SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AN 
OPPORTUNITY FOR MY ENTIRE CAREER
EVEN BEFORE I JOINED POLITICS.
[end of translation] TRYING TO 
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG 
PEOPLE AND KIDS TO GET INVOLVED.
THIS IS SOMETHING I BELIEVE IN 
DEEPLY.
AND I DEEPLY REGRET I DIDN'T 
RECUSE MYSELF ON THE DISCUSSIONS
ON THIS.
IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE 
SURE YOUNG PEOPLE COULD 
CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY.
>> WE'LL GO TO THE PHONE.
>> Question: [Speaking French] 
[Voice of Interpreter] GOODDAY, 
MR. PRIME MINISTER.
LET ME COME BACK TO THE 
ANNOUNCEMENT YOU'VE MADE WITH 
THE PROVINCES.
YOU STATED SOME CONDITIONS AND 
SECTORS WHERE THE SHOULD GO AND 
YOU CAME BACK TO THAT TODAY.
WHEN WE TALK TO THE PROVINCES, 
OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS THEY'RE 
SAYING IT'S TARGETED MONEY BEING
PROVIDED TO THOSE SECTORS, NO 
CONDITIONS ARE IMPOSED ON THE 
SPENDING OF THE MONEY.
CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY HOW THAT 
WILL WORK?
HAVE YOU ABANDONED THE 
CONDITIONS YOU INITIALLY 
MENTIONED?
IS THERE A SPECIFIC AGREEMENT 
WITH QUEBEC OR IS IT THE SAME 
MODEL WITH THE OTHER PROVINCES?
>> Answer: IT'S THE SAME MODEL 
WITH THE PROVINCES.
WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH 
ALL PROVINCES.
OF COURSE WE HAD TO TAKE INTO 
ACCOUNT THE SPECIFICS ON THE 
FIELD AND IN THE DIFFERENT 
PROVINCES, BUT WE NEGOTIATED 
TOGETHER TO GET TO THAT 
AGREEMENT.
AS YOU'VE SAID, IT WAS VERY 
IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE 
THAT THE MONEY TARGETING CHILD 
CARE AND SECURITY WENT FOR THAT 
AND THAT THE MONEY SENT FOR 
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 
SHOULD BE SPENT FOR THAT.
WE WERE ABLE TO ARRIVE AT AN 
AGREEMENT.
THERE'S NO FLEXIBILITY TO 
TRANSFER MONEY FROM ONE ZONE TO 
THE OTHER.
THE PROVINCES AGREED TO INVEST 
IN THE TARGETED SECTORS, AS PER 
THE AGREEMENT.
PROVINCES WILL BE TELLING US 
EXACTLY HOW THE MONEY WILL BE 
INVESTED PUBLICLY.
THAT IS HOW WE WOULD MAKE SURE 
THAT THE MONEY TARGETING 
MUNICIPALITIES, TARGETING OUR 
SENIORS, WOULD TRULY BE INTENDED
FOR THAT PURPOSE.
[end of translation] IMPORTANT 
THROUGHOUT IS THAT WE KEEP 
NEGOTIATING ALL TOGETHER.
WE OBVIOUSLY UNDERSTOOD THAT 
DIFFERENT PROVINCES WERE FACING 
DIFFERENT REALITIES, AND 
THEREFORE THERE NEEDED TO BE A 
CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FLEXIBILITY IN
THE SECTORS OR THE BUCKETS THAT 
WE WERE LAYING OUT, BUT IT WAS 
ALSO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT 
ALL THESE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS, 
SEVEN AREAS FOR A RESTART, WERE 
EACH EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND THE
PROVINCES COULDN'T TAKE MONEY 
FROM ONE BUCKET AND PUT IT IN 
ANOTHER ONE THAT IS MORE OF A 
PRIORITY FOR THEM.
WE MANAGED TO GET TO AN 
AGREEMENT WHERE THE MONEY 
DESIGNATED FOR SAFE CHILD CARE 
SPACES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE MONEY 
THAT IS DESIGNATED FOR P.P.E., 
THE MONEY THAT IS DESIGNATED FOR
TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING 
ACTUALLY WILL GET SPENT IN THOSE
AREAS.
THERE ARE AREAS LIKE SUPPORT FOR
VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHERE WE WILL 
EXPECT THE PROVINCES TO DECLARE 
WHAT EXACTLY THEY INTEND TO DO 
IN THE SUPPORT FOR THE 
VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND THAT FOR 
US IS A WAY OF ENSURING THAT 
CANADIANS WHO NEED HELP FROM 
THIS RESTART WILL GET IT THROUGH
THIS HISTORIC AGREEMENT WITH THE
PROVINCES.
CHRYSTIA.
>> [Speaking French] [Voice of 
Interpreter] MARIE, LET ME ADD 
THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT 
IMPOSITIONS BY THE FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT ON THE PROVINCES.
THAT IS NOT CORRECT.
I THINK WE NEED TO START WITH 
THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE THE 
PROVINCES, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, 
MUNICIPALITIES, WE ALL HAVE A 
COMMON OBJECTIVE AND THAT COMMON
GOAL IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF
CANADIANS AND TO ENSURE THAT 
THERE IS A SAFE RESTART.
IT'S A REAL COLLECTIVE EFFORT.
IT'S A WIN-WIN AGREEMENT.
YES, IT'S TRUE THE FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT WANTS GUARANTEES FOR 
ALL CANADIANS, THAT WE WILL HAVE
THE RIGHT LEVELS OF TESTING, FOR
EXAMPLE.
[PLEASE STAND BY]
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER
ON COMMON CONCERNS TO PROTECT
OUR CITIZENS.
AND RESTART THE ECONOMY.
YES, WE HAVE TARGETED VARIOUS
SECTORS, WHERE THE PROVINCES
WILL NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY.
BUT IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THEM
TO EXPLAIN, ACCORDING TO SET
CRITERIA, HOW THE MONEY WILL BE
SPENT SO THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW
WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM
TOGETHER.
REGARDING THE WORK WE'LL
CONTINUE TO DO TOGETHER, WE DO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THIS
HISTORIC TIME WE NEEDED THOSE
$19 BILLION TO RESOLVE THE
CURRENT ISSUE OVER THE NEXT FEW
MONTHS.
BUT, OF COURSE, IF THERE'S A
RESTART AND A SECOND WAVE, OTHER
CHALLENGES WE'LL CONTINUE
WORKING WITH THE OTHER
PROVINCES.
THANK YOU.
LAST QUESTION.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> DAVID COCHRANE FROM CBC NEWS.
I DON'T KNOW IF I GET A
FOLLOW-UP.
I'LL DOUBLE BARREL THIS.
THIS IS A SIX- TO EIGHT-MONTH
AGREEMENT THE MONEY WILL BE DONE
BY THAT.
THE VIRUS WILL NOT.
A PROVISION FOR A ROLLOVER OR
EXTENSION?
AND ON THE WE ISSUE, I WANT TO
GET CLARITY TO YOUR ANSWER TO
McKENZIE EARLIER.
ARE YOU CONSIDERING THE OPTION
OF TESTIFYING AT FINANCE?
AND BECAUSE THIS INVOLVES YOU
AND PEOPLE CLOSE TO YOU, WOULD
YOU CONSIDER A FULL CABINET
WAIVER OR PARTIAL CABINET WAIVER
LIKE WITH SNC-LAVALIN, SO PEOPLE
CAN GET MORE ANSWERS THAN MIGHT
BE ABLE THROUGH NORMAL MEANS?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE'RE AN UNPRECEDENTED
PANDEMIC, WHICH IS WHY IT WAS SO
IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE
THAT RIGHT ACROSS THE COUNTRY
THERE IS THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT
CANADIANS IN A SAFE RESTART OF
THE ECONOMY, WHICH MEANS
INVESTMENTS IN MAKING SURE THAT
CHILDCARE SPACES ARE ABLE TO BE
SAFE FOR KIDS AND PARENTS RIGHT
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
INVESTMENTS TO PROTECT OUR
ELDERS AND OTHER VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS, INVESTMENTS IN MORE
P.P.E., INVESTMENTS IN TRANSIT,
INVESTMENTS IN MUNICIPAL
OPERATING COSTS.
THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT
ACTUALLY REALLY MATTER TO
CANADIANS.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS AGREEMENT
IS ABOUT.
IT WILL COVER A LARGE PART OF
THE NEXT SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS.
BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT PERHAPS
THE PANDEMIC WILL EXTEND LONGER
THAN THAT.
CERTAINLY IT IS LIKELY TO, SINCE
THE VACCINE SEEMS TO BE A FAIR
BIT AWAY.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
HAND-IN-GLOVE WITH THE PROVINCES
AND TERRITORIES TO MAKE SURE
THAT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
CANADIANS ARE SUPPORTED IN BOTH
THEIR HEALTH NEEDS, BUT ALSO IN
THE RELAUNCHING OF THE ECONOMY.
IN REGARDS TO THE ISSUE AROUND
COMMITTEES, AS I SAID, WE'VE
RECEIVED INVITATIONS -- I HAVE
RECEIVED AN INVITATION TO ATTEND
COMMITTEE.
WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT.
I BELIEVE IN OPENNESS AND
TRANSPARENCY.
WE'VE BEEN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT
WITH CANADIANS AS I TAKE
QUESTIONS, AS I RESPOND TO
QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE AND
PARLIAMENTARIANS.
AND AS I SAID, WE'RE STILL
MAKING DETERMINATIONS AROUND
WHAT FURTHER OPENNESS WE CAN
SHOW.
WE'RE NOT AT THAT POINT YET AT
REFLECTING ON THAT.
>> IF I COULD JUST SAY ABOUT THE
SAFE RESTART AND THE PROVINCES,
LOOK, DAVID, NO ONE CAN
TRUTHFULLY TELL YOU THAT THEY
KNOW WHERE CANADA OR THE WORLD
WILL BE IN SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS.
AND I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT
TO PRETEND OTHERWISE TO
CANADIANS.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING
WITH THE PROVINCES AND
TERRITORIES.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING
WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES.
BUT WE'RE GETTING PRETTY GOOD AT
IT.
YOU KNOW, OVER THE PAST FEW
DAYS, I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE
WITH SO MANY PREMIERS, SO MANY
MAYORS PRETTY MUCH CONSTANTLY.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK THAT
WHOLE GROUP FOR PUTTING THEIR
SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.
I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH
THE P.M. A LOT, SHARING EVERY
TWIST --
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: YES, THAT'S A NEW
RECORD IN THE LAST COUPLE OF
MONTHS.
>> THIS IS A REALLY BIG DEAL TO
BE ABLE TO GET 13 PROVINCES AND
TERRITORIES AND THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IN A DEAL THAT VERY
MUCH INVOLVES THE
MUNICIPALITIES, BECAUSE THEY ARE
A PART OF IT.
IT'S NOT JUST IN ONE SECTOR,
IT'S NOT JUST IN ONE AREA.
ACROSS A WHOLE NUMBER OF
DIFFERENT MINISTRIES.
TO DO THIS KIND OF A MULTI-PART
DEAL REALLY SHOWS THAT CANADIANS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ACROSS
DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE
UNDERSTOOD WE NEED TO WORK
TOGETHER.
AND I HOPE THAT CANADIANS, AS WE
ALL WORK IN OUR OWN LIVES TO
RESTART THE ECONOMY, TO LIVE
WITH CORONAVIRUS, CAN TAKE SOME
COMFORT AND GAIN SOME CONFIDENCE
FROM KNOWING THAT AT THE
POLITICAL LEVEL, AT ALL
POLITICAL LEVELS, WE'RE WORKING
TOGETHER.
BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT
THAT IS.
>> AIR CANADA SENT A LETTER
YESTERDAY URGING THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO EASE QUARANTINE
REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL
TRAVELERS.
IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOUR
GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: OUR PRIORITY IS THE
SAFETY OF CANADIANS.
I UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS
TO SEE THESE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
IN PLACE.
BUT CANADIANS UNDERSTAND THAT
KEEPING OUR CITIES, OUR
MUNICIPALITIES, OUR ELDERS, OUR
FRONT-LINE WORKERS SAFE, BY
PREVENTING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL,
IS CONTINUED THING WE NEED TO
DO.
WE WILL BE CONTINUING TO KEEP
CANADIANS SAFE BY LIMITING
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
>> Voice of Translator: WE
KNOW THAT THE PRIORITY NOW, EVEN
THOUGH IT'S DIFFICULT FOR SOME
SECTORS AND PEOPLE, IS TO MAKE
SURE THAT PEOPLE REMAIN SAFE AND
THAT MEANS WE NEED TO CONTINUE
RESTRICTION, RESTRICTIONS ON
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.
THANK YOU, MR. PRIME MINISTER.
THAT'S THE END OF THE PRESS
CONFERENCE TODAY.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> OKAY.
WE WERE JUST LISTENING IN THERE,
OF COURSE, TO PRIME MINISTER
JUSTIN TRUDEAU AND DEPUTY P.M.
CHRYSTIA FREELAND ANNOUNCING A
$19 BILLION AGREEMENT WITH
PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL
GOVERNMENT.
THAT'S INVESTED MONEY TO HELP
PEOPLE GET BACK TO WORK, TO
REOPEN ECONOMIES AND HELP CITIES
AND TOWNS PREPARE FOR A POSSIBLE
SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19.
WE'RE GOING TO CHIEF POLITICAL
CORRESPONDENT ROSEMARY BARTON TO
BREAK IT ALL DOWN FOR US.
WHAT STOOD OUT FOR YOU?
>> Rosemary: FIRST THE
RECOGNITION THAT THIS IS MONEY
NEEDED BY THE PROVINCES, BUT
THERE COULD BE MORE MONEY NEEDED
BY THE PROVINCES, BECAUSE WE
DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE
HOLDS.
THAT THIS DEAL IS TO COVER SIX
TO EIGHT MONTHS.
THAT IT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT
OF MONEY, MORE EVEN THAN THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD INITIALLY
PUT ON THE TABLE.
AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY
INTERESTING, BECAUSE THERE'S
ALWAYS A POINT OF CONTENTION
BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AND PROVINCES.
PROVINCES DID AGREE TO SOME
CONDITIONS AROUND THE USE OF THE
MONEY.
MOST PROVINCES DON'T LIKE THAT
IDEA.
DON'T LIKE QUOTE/UNQUOTE STRINGS
UNTEACHED WHEN IT COMES TO
TAKING FEDERAL TRANSFERS.
IN THIS CASE THEY'VE AGREED YOU
WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE THE MONEY
AROUND THE SEVEN PRIORITIES THE
PRIME MINISTER LISTED THERE.
IF YOU'RE TAKING MONEY FOR
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT,
THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR.
YOU CAN'T, THOUGH, GO PUT IT
INTO SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S
IMPORTANT TO YOUR PROVINCE.
SO THAT'S INTERESTING TO ME THAT
THEY GOT TO A PLACE WHERE
PROVINCES AGREED TO SOME SORT OF
BASIC CONDITIONS AROUND THE
MONEY.
THERE'S ALSO I THINK A
RECOGNITION THAT THE PROVINCES
ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REPORT BACK
AND BE PRETTY TRANSPARENT ABOUT
HOW THEY'RE USING THE MONEY.
THE PRIME MINISTER SPECIFICALLY
POINTED TO VULNERABLE PEOPLE,
WHICH, OF COURSE, COULD MEAN A
VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN
SOCIETY, INCLUDING SENIORS OR
HOMELESS PEOPLE.
AND THE PROVINCES HAVE TO SAY
THIS IS ACTUALLY HOW WE SPENT
THE MONEY.
I THINK THAT SHOWS NOT ONLY A
HIGH LEVEL OF COLLABORATION AND
COOPERATION BETWEEN BOTH LEVELS
OF GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO A REAL
PERHAPS SENSE OF DESPERATION
FROM THE PROVINCES WHO ARE
QUICKLY RUNNING OUT OF CASH.
AND NEED WHAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAS TO OFFER.
SO PERHAPS HAD TO TAKE
CONDITIONS THAT IN NORMAL
CIRCUMSTANCES THEY WOULDN'T BE
SO KEEN TO TAKE.
SO THAT I THINK IS VERY
IMPORTANT.
I'LL JUST GIVE THE OTHER TWO
LITTLE BITS OF NEWS THAT STOOD
OUT FOR ME, ASHA, THE BORDER
REMAINS CLOSED TO THE
NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL UNTIL
AUGUST.
THE DEAL HAS BEEN INKED AND PUT
TO BED.
AND TOMORROW WE'LL HEAR FROM THE
FINANCE MINISTER BILL MORNEAU
ABOUT THE EXTENSION OF THE WAGE
SUBSIDY, WHICH THE PRIME
MINISTER ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS
WEEK WILL NOW GO UNTIL DECEMBER.
THE FINANCE MINISTER WILL TALK A
LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW THAT
WILL BE EXPANDED.
IT'S HUGELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE
THE STABILITY FOR MORE MONTHS.
THAT'S TO COME TOMORROW.
AS WELL AS NEWS, I MENTION THIS
BECAUSE SO MANY CANADIANS HAVE
EMAILED ME DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS.
NEWS AROUND THE DISABILITY
TOP-UPS FOR CANADIANS WHO
RECEIVE DISABILITY PAYMENTS FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THERE WAS A MOVE TO GET THE
PAYMENTS TO CANADIANS.
IT COLLAPSED BECAUSE OF POLITICS
ESSENTIALLY.
THEY COULDN'T GET EVERYBODY ON
SIDE TO MOVE AHEAD WITH IT.
IT SOUNDS LIKE A DRAFT PIECE OF
LEGISLATION THAT WILL GET THE
TOP-UPS TO PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY
SOON.
THAT'S IMPORTANT NEWS FOR
CANADIANS, DISABLED CANADIANS,
OR CANADIANS WHO QUALIFY FOR THE
DISABILITY, FEDERAL TAX CREDIT.
SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S SOME
MOVEMENT ON THAT AS WELL.
>> Asha: A LOT OF DETAILS, A LOT
OF INFORMATION.
TO REALLY DIGEST HERE.
BUT AS EXPECTED, ROSIE, A LOT OF
QUESTIONS AS WELL ABOUT THE WE
CHARITY CONTROVERSY, EVEN
CHRYSTIA FREELAND TALKING ABOUT
IT AND SAYING THAT SHE SUPPORTS
AND BACKS AND HAS THE CONFIDENCE
OF PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU.
>> Rosemary: YEAH.
WE SHOULD SAY THAT AT THIS HOUR
THERE IS A FINANCE COMMITTEE
MEETING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW,
WHERE THERE IS SOME TESTIMONY,
WITNESSES APPEARING TO START
GETTING A FIRST GLIMPSE INTO HOW
THIS UNFOLDED AT THE CABINET
TABLE.
THAT IS THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE
BARDISH CHAGGER.
OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEING DONE
VIRTUALLY.
WE'LL HEAR FROM MORE WITNESSES,
TOO, TO HEAR WHY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT CHOSE THE
ORGANIZATION AND WHY THE PUBLIC
SERVICE SAYS THIS WAS THE
OBVIOUS CHOICE.
THE PRIME MINISTER WAS ASKED A
COUPLE OF KEY QUESTIONS THERE,
WHETHER HE WOULD BE WILLING TO
TESTIFY IN FRONT OF A
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE, BECAUSE
HE'S BEEN INVITED TO DO SO.
HE WAS ASKED BY MY COLLEAGUE
DAVID COCHRANE WHETHER HE WOULD
WAIVE SOME CABINET CONFIDENCES
AROUND THIS ISSUE.
THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DONE IN
A LIMITED WAY AROUND THE S.N.C.
AFFAIR THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR.
THERE WAS FOR COMMIT ON THAT.
THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS THEY
HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT POINT IN
THEIR THINKING.
BUT THE COMMENTS BY CHRYSTIA
FREELAND WERE PARTICULARLY
INTERESTING FOR A COUPLE OF
REASONS.
FIRST OF ALL, SHE HERSELF AS A
MEMBER OF THE CABINET TOOK SOME
RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT BEING
AWARE ENOUGH OF THE SITUATION.
AND ASKING QUESTIONS I SUPPOSE.
AND THEN SHE TOOK THE TIME TO
MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE KNEW THAT
SHE STILL HAD FULL CONFIDENCE IN
THE PRIME MINISTER AND HIS
CABINET AND HIS GOVERNMENT.
AND THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE AS
THINGS HAPPEN IN OTTAWA, THERE'S
ALWAYS RUMBLINGS ABOUT WHO MIGHT
BE INTERESTED IN BEING THE NEXT
LEADER OF THE LIBERAL PARTY.
AND IN THOSE SITUATIONS,
CHRYSTIA FREELAND'S NAME
CERTAINLY COMES UP.
FOR HER TO TAKE THE TIME TO SAY
THAT SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE
CONFIDENCE IN THE PRIME MINISTER
AND WAS PLEASED TO BE PART OF
HIS CABINET IS SIGNIFICANT TO
HELP QUELLING THOSE RUMOURS THAT
GO AROUND THE NATION'S CAPITAL.
BUT ALSO INTERESTING THAT SHE'S
JUST SOMEONE WHO IS AT THE
CABINET TABLE WHEN THE DECISION
WAS MADE, WANTED TO OFFER HER
APOLOGIES FOR NOT GETTING IT
RIGHT FRANKLY.
>> Asha: VERY INTERESTING STUFF.
THANK YOU, ROSIE.
CBC'S CHIEF POLITICAL
CORRESPONDENT ROSEMARY BARTON IN
OTTAWA.
AND AS ROSIE MENTIONED, YOU
KNOW, IN OTTAWA THE FEDERAL
FINANCE COMMITTEE IS STUDYING
THE WE CHARITY CONTROVERSY RIGHT
NOW.
WE WERE JUST HEARING FROM YOUTH
MINISTER BARDISH CHAGGER.
LET'S TAKE A LISTEN IN.
[SPEAKING FRENCH
