Trudeau Updates on Production of Medical Supplies, Equipment in Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used is daily address to update Canadians on progress of businesses’ efforts to mobilize in order to help the country fight COVID-19.

“Canadian companies are answering the call to protect our health care professionals with made-in-Canada solutions.  This is exactly the kind of innovative, collaborative thinking we need to respond to this rapidly evolving pandemic,” Trudeau said.  The government’s goal is to mobilize industry in order to provide a secure supply of made-in-Canada protective gear, and medical equipment.

Approximately 5000 businesses are working with the federal government on the following projects which include:

• Purchasing made-in-Canada ventilators from Thornhill Medical, CAE, Ventilators for Canadians and Starfish Medical.
• Stanfield’s Limited will Using Innovative alternative materials to augment the supply of medical gowns.  AutoLiv will be using material used for airbags to for medical gowns.
• Purchasing and producing masks to protect healthcare workers from Medicom, Surgo Surgical Supply, and Breathe Medical.
• Purchasing hand sanitizer from Canadian companies including Fluid Energy Group Ltd, and Irving Oil.

“In mobilizing industry and creating partnerships, we are moving swiftly to build up a secure domestic supply of key personal protective equipment  to protect Canada’s frontline health workers as they fight this pandemic,” Minister of innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains said.

Liberals, Opposition Parties Working On Virtual House of Commons

The House of Commons is looking at the possibility of going virtual for some of its sittings.   Liberal House Leader Pablo Rodriguez has contacted house leaders, and the Speaker to look at how to make it happen.

“Conservatives will be fully supportive of any return of Parliament,” Conservative Finance Critic Pierre Pollievre said.   Most provinces are under stay-at-home orders until the end of May.  The Bloc Quebecois would like to see votes held in person, similar to the session held late last month to pass the initial financial package.