The Canadian government says it’s ordering millions of masks and thousands of ventilators to cope with the country’s rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that his government has inked deals with three Canadian companies — Thornhill Medical, Medicom and Spartan Bioscience — to make critical medical supplies, including ventilators, surgical masks, test kits and other items, over the coming weeks
“We know that the demand for critical equipment and supplies will grow in the coming weeks, so we need a sustainable, stable supply of these products,” Trudeau said this morning.
“And that means making them at home and we’re optimistic that they will be available in the coming weeks.”
Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand said more than 60 million N95 masks — a type of mask designed and fitted to filter out particles that carry the COVID-19 virus — are expected to arrive later this week.
The federal government also has ordered close to 1,570 ventilators and more than a million COVID-19 test kits.
WATCH: ‘Made-in-Canada solutions,’ Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is focusing on made-in-Canada procurement to obtain ventilators, surgical masks, test kits and other medical supplies to cope with Canada’s increasing COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks. 1:18
Anand said the government also is trying to secure an additional 4,000 ventilators — a crucial piece of equipment in a battle against a disease that attacks the lungs and can make it difficult for people to breathe on their own.
“This is all hands on deck,” she said Tuesday. “Our government is leaving no stone unturned.”
As part of the deal, Toronto-based Thornhill Medical is making 500 mobile compact ventilator systems and expects to have them out the door in early April.
“We are honoured to provide our Canadian-made ventilator system to support Canadians and our health care system in its efforts to fight COVID-19,” said Thornhill Medical CEO Lesley Gouldie.
More supplies coming
Trudeau said Ottawa also has signed letters of intent with five other companies — Precision Biomonitoring, Fluid Energy Group, Irving Oil, Calko Group and Stanfield’s — for critical supplies like hand sanitizer, tests and gowns.
“The entire world is trying to get its hands on the various equipment needed to fight this virus. That is why we know that it will be important to have made-in-Canada solutions,” he told reporters.
As part of today’s announcement, Trudeau said the government is allocating $2 billion to buy protective personal equipment in part through bulk purchases with the provinces and territories.
WATCH: Trudeau announces $2B for protective personal equipment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government has signed deals with three Canadian companies and allocated $2 billion to make medical supplies over the coming weeks to cope with the country’s rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases. 2:14
On March 20, the federal government announced its intention to provide monetary support to manufacturers that can retool their assembly lines to make ventilators, masks and other personal protective gear, and to help those already making such products quickly scale up manufacturing capacity.
Trudeau said close to 3,000 companies have reached out to offer their help since then.
“This is a priority for our government and we will continue to source new solutions every day,” he said in his prepared remarks.
WATCH: Anand says delivery of personal protective equipment begins this week
Public Services Minister Anita Anand spoke with reporters on Parliament Hill on Tuesday. 1:51
“We are expecting shipments to come in in the coming days and we will continue to work tirelessly to get these supplies to where they’re needed.”
Trudeau said more supplies likely will be needed — but how much will be up to Canadians themselves.
“We will need more masks, ventilators and testing kits, but how many more we need depends entirely on you,” he said.
“If you stay home and follow public health recommendations, you can slow the spread.”
International Trade Minister Mary Ng also announced earlier this month that the government is temporarily eliminating tariffs and taxes on all goods imported by public health authorities.
ANTIGONISH, N.S. – Mila Mulroney has been named the 11th chancellor of St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, the alma mater of her husband, former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
Brian Mulroney died Feb. 29 at the age of 84.
Mila Mulroney issued a statement today saying the university in Antigonish, N.S., was the place where her husband was inspired to become involved in politics and his experiences there helped form his values.
She says that over the past 50 years, she has spent many days at the campus and has met many of her husband’s fellow graduates.
The statement says she is “humbled and honoured” to take on her new role.
Dennis Flood, chairman of the university’s board of governors, said Mila Mulroney’s experience as a philanthropist and her international profile will bring “invaluable strengths” to the university.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024
The Northern Super League has fleshed out its front office with four appointments.
Jose Maria Celestino da Costa was named vice-president and head of soccer operations while Marianne Brooks was appointed vice-president of partnerships, Kelly Shouldice as vice-president of brand and content and Joyce Sou as vice-president of finance and business operations.
The new six-team women’s pro league is set to kick off in April.
“Their unique expertise and leadership are crucial as we lay the foundation for not just a successful league in Canada, but one that stands among the top sports leagues in the world,” NSL president Christina Litz said in a statement. “By investing in top-tier talent and infrastructure, the Northern Super League is committed to creating a league that will elevate the game and set new standards for women’s professional soccer globally.”
Da Costa will oversee all on-field matters, including officiating. His resume includes stints with Estoril Praia, a men’s first-division team in Portugal, and the Portuguese Soccer Federation, where he helped develop the Portuguese women’s league.
Brooks spent a decade with Canucks Sports & Entertainment, working in “partnership sales and retention efforts” for the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Warriors, and Rogers Arena. Most recently, she served as senior director of account management at StellarAlgo, a software company that helps pro sports teams connect with their fans
Shouldice has worked for Corus Entertainment, the Canadian Football League, and most recently as vice-president of Content and Communications at True North Sports & Entertainment, where she managed original content as well as business and hockey communications.
Sou, who was involved in the league’s initial launch, will oversee financial planning, analysis and the league’s expansion strategy in her new role.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
MAYERTHORPE, Alta. – An emergency alert has been issued in an area west of Edmonton for two armed men.
RCMP say the men are on foot after a robbery.
They say people in the area of Mayerthorpe should not open their doors to strangers or pick up hitchhikers.
They say the suspects are dangerous and should not be approached.
One man is described as white, about 30 years-old, five feet 11 inches tall, 205 pounds with dark hair and dark eyes, who was last seen wearing a cowboy hat and black sweater.
The other man is six feet tall, about 220 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black flat brim hat with red letters.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
