From the outset, we have worked closely with the provinces and territories to support Canadians during the pandemic. We know it will take partnership between all levels of government to ensure Canadians can get back to work without worrying for their health. Yesterday, the Prime Minister, joined by the Deputy Prime Minister, announced an agreement of 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. 

1. Enhanced capacity for testing, contact tracing, and data management and information sharing to mitigate future outbreaks.
2. Investments in health care to respond to the pandemic, including support for Canadians experiencing challenges with substance use, mental health, or homelessness.
3. Support for vulnerable Canadians – including those in long-term care, home care, and palliative care – who are at risk of more severe cases of COVID-19.
4. Funding to secure a reliable source of personal protective equipment, and to recover some of the costs from previous investments made by provincial and territorial governments.
5. Support to ensure that safe and sufficient child care spaces are available to support parents’ gradual return to work.
6. Joint funding with the provinces and territories to support municipalities on the front lines of restarting the economy, including by putting in place precautions for public spaces and essential services to reduce the spread of the virus, as well as a dedicated stream of funding for public transit.
7. A temporary income support program that will provide workers who do not have paid sick leave with access to 10 days of paid sick leave related to COVID-19.

This includes increasing testing and contact tracing, securing more personal protective equipment, and more support for the most vulnerable, like for seniors in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. This will help ensure we can detect, control, and prevent future outbreaks.

We are also focused on helping people, businesses, and communities adjust to our new normal, because until we find a vaccine, the daily threat of COVID-19 will not disappear. Fighting COVID-19 has always been a Team Canada effort and it continues to be as we begin to safely restart the economy.

For more information on the Safe Restart Agreement click here.