The Prime Minister announced progress today under Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19, which increases Canada’s ability to respond to the outbreak with necessary medical equipment and supplies.
Justin Trudeau says the government is investing $2 billion to support diagnostic testing and to purchase ventilators and protective personal equipment (PPE), including for bulk purchases with provinces and territories. Personal protective equipment includes things like more masks and face shields, gowns, and hand sanitizer.
“Canadian companies are answering the call to provide critical support to our health care workers, who are on the front lines of our country’s fight against COVID-19,” Trudeau said in a live news conferance. “As the situation continues to evolve, the Government of Canada will be there to work with Canadian industry to find solutions that will support our medical professionals and protect the health and safety of all Canadians.”
Trudeau says the government has spoken directly with almost 3,000 Canadian companies that have offered their expertise and capacity to meet the country’s need for PPE and critical health supplies.
These measures are part of the larger strategy the Government of Canada is implementing to protect Canadians and prevent the spread of the virus.
“We are taking an aggressive, proactive procurement approach to secure life-saving equipment and supplies,” Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement said in a news release. “Industry has answered the call and we have successfully tapped into both existing and new supply sources. As a result, we have placed orders for millions of essential supplies in the fight against COVID-19.”
As a result, Trudeau says hundreds of new ventilators are in production.
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