PM Justin Trudeau provides update on federal response to COVID-19 – May 9, 2020

THEIR SPECIFIC MEASURES TO HELP BREEDERS AND PRODUCERS TO HELP THEM ADAPT TO MARKET CHANGES.

WE'RE ALSO ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM THAT WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT BUY PRODUCTS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE WASTED SO THEY CAN BE REDISTRIBUTED TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO PROVIDED $5 BILLION LENDING CAPACITY FOR A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $510 MILLION TO SUPPORT FOOD SECURITY.

THAT'S SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CRISIS.

AS I SAID EARLIER IN THE WEEK, IF WE HAVE TO DO MORE, WE WILL.

[ End of Interpretation ] THE PAST FEW WEEKS OUR GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON GETTING THE PEOPLE THE HELP THEY NEED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BUT TO COME OUT OF THIS STRONGER THAN EVER, WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK LONG TERM.

WE NEED TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK NOW SO IS OUR ECONOMY CAN COME ROARING BACK.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH MEASURES LIKE THE CANADA EMERGENCY BUSINESS ACCOUNT AND THE CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY.

SO FAR MORE THAN HALF A MILLION BUSINESSES, SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE RECEIVED A LOAN THROUGH THE CEB.

A AND LESS THAN TWO WEEKS SINCE LAUNCHING THE CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY EMPLOYERS HAVE APPLIED FOR SUBSIDIES FOR ALMOST 2 MILLION WORKERS.

OUR GOVERNMENT IS GIVING EMPLOYERS MORE RESOURCES SO THEY CAN STAY IN BUSINESS AND KEEP PEOPLE ON THE PAYROLL DURING THIS CRISIS.

MAINTAINING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE WILL BE KEY NOT JUST TO HELP PEOPLE GET BACK ON THEIR FEET BUT ALSO TO OUR ECONOMY.

IN THAT VEIN WE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY WE WOULD BE EXTENDING THE CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY BEYOND JUNE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO BEAT COVID-19 FOR GOOD.

THIS PANDEMIC IS A GLOBAL ISSUE, KEEPING CANADIANS SAFE AND RESTARTING OUR ECONOMY MEANS DEFEATING THE VIRUS NOT JUST AT HOME BUT WHEREVER IT IS FOUND.

EARLIER THIS WEEK WE ANNOUNCED NEW INVESTMENTS TO ACCELERATE THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT OF COVID-19 VACCINES, TREATMENTS, TESTING, AND RESEARCH INCLUDING RESEARCH BEING DONE HERE IN CANADA.

[ Speaking French ] >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau (Voice of Interpreter): IN RECENT WEEKS WE SET UP NEW ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR WORKERS, BUSINESSES BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS WORK IS FAR FROM DONE AS THE SITUATION PROGRESSES, NEEDS AND CHALLENGES CHANGE WITH THEM AND WE ARE ADAPTING ACCORDINGLY.

WE CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO CANADIANS AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY SEEKING NEW ENDS — NEW WAYS TO SUPPORT THEM.

[ End of Interpretation ] I WANT TO CLOSE BY ASKING ALL THE MOMS TO STEP OUT OF THE ROOM FOR A MINUTE SO I CAN TALK TO YOUR KIDS.

I'LL GIVE YOU A SECOND.

OKAY.

TOMORROW IS MOTHER'S DAY, KIDS.

IT'S A SPECIAL DAY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOTHERS TO US.

OUR MOMS, STEP MOMS, GRANDMOTHERS, AUNTS, AND OLDER SISTERS.

SO LET'S SHOW THEM HOW MUCH WE LOVE AND CARE ABOUT THEM.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET UP EARLY TO MAKE HER BREAKFAST OR ASK DAD TO HELP YOU GET HER SOME FLOWERS OR IF YOU ARE NOT TOGETHER THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS OR OTHER REASONS, YOU CAN DRAW HER A CARD OR SET UP A VIDEO CALL.

WHATEVER YOU DO, I'M SURE YOU WILL CHOOSE TO MAKE HER DAY AND EXPRESS HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HER AND HOW MUCH YOU NEED HER AND HOW MUCH SHE HAS YOUR FULL SUPPORT AND FULL LOVE DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME BUT ALL THE TIME AS WELL.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: TOMORROW IS MOTHER'S DAY.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW OUR MOTHERS HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM.

MAYBE YOU WILL GET UP EARLIER AND MAKE HER BREAKFAST.

MAYBE YOU WOULD RATHER BUY HER FLOWERS OR DRAW HER A CARD.

DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DECIDE TO DO, I'M SURE THAT YOU WILL MAKE HER DAY BY SHARING HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HER, HOW MUCH YOU ARE THERE FOR HER, AND HOW MUCH AND TO WHAT EXTENT WE'LL ALL BE THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER DURING THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD.

HAVE FUN, ENJOY TOMORROW.

WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER.

[ End of Interpretation ] >> ONE QUESTION, ONE FOLLOW-UP.

OPERATOR.

>> THANK YOU.

MERCI.

FIRST QUESTION, ROD NICHOL FROM REUTERS, LINE OPEN.

>> PRIME MINISTER, AS YOU KNOW, THE U.

S.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS LOOKING INTO WHETHER MEAT PACKERS HAVE UNFAIRLY PROFITED FROM LOW LIVESTOCK PRICES AND HIGH MEAT PRICES DURING PANDEMIC.

GIVEN THAT THE SAME BIG MEAT COMPANIES OPERATE IN CANADA, DO YOU SHARE THAT CONCERN? >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF OUR AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY CHAIN.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKERS ARE SAFE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT CANADIANS FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST ARE GETTING A RELIABLE AND SAFE SUPPLY OF THE FOOD THEY NEED TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND PUT ON THE TABLE.

AND WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS PROFITING IN AN EXAGGERATED WAY FROM THIS CRISIS.

WE WILL TAKE A VERY CAREFUL LOOK TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE THERE FOR EACH OTHER AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER AND NO ONE IS FOCUSING ON PROFITS BEFORE SUPPORTING CANADIANS.

>> PRIME MINISTER, WHAT WILL THAT CAREFUL LOOK INVOLVE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE COMPETITION BUREAU IN CANADA LOOK INTO THIS? >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: WE HAVE MANY MECHANISMS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO KEEP AN EYE ON SUPPLY CHAINS AND PRICES.

WE WILL ENGAGE WITH THOSE PROCESSES AS WE HAVE SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS CRISIS.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN AND TO ENSURE FOOD SAFETY FOR ALL CANADIANS.

THAT MEANS PROTECTING WORKERS ALL ALONG THE PRODUCTION, THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN BUT ALSO ENSURING THAT THE SUPPLY CHAINS CONTINUE TO WORK, TO WORK WELL THAT THEY REMAIN ROBUST.

WE ALSO NEED TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE PROFITS UNDULY AND PUTS PROFITS AHEAD OF SAFETY AND SECURITY.

WE HAVE TOOLS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND WE'VE BEEN USING THEM SINCE THE OUTSET; SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CRISIS.

[ End of Interpretation ] >> NEXT QUESTION, TERESA WRIGHT, THE CANADIAN PRESS.

LINE OPEN.

>> GOOD MORNING, PRIME MINISTER.

WE KNOW FROM THE NATIONAL INQUIRY INTO MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS THAT INDIGENOUS WOMEN WERE ALREADY MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE AND NOW COVID-19 HAS EXPOSED THEM TO CONCERNINGLY HIGH LEVELS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS.

GIVEN THIS, CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON THE INQUIRY PLANNINGS IN JUNE AS PROMISED OR WILL COVID-19 DELAY THIS.

>> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: NO.

THE WORK WE'RE DOING ON ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN COMING OUT OF THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS INQUIRY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN.

WE HAVE SEEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE SOMEONE IS FORCED TO STAY HOME WHEN HOME ISN'T SAFE ARISE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF THE STRESSES, BECAUSE OF THE CONFINEMENTS, BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES WE'RE FACING BECAUSE OF COVID-19 AND THIS GOVERNMENT HAS WORKED FROM THE BEGINNING TO GIVE MORE SUPPORT TO SHELTERS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND NETWORKS THAT ARE SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE OR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK VERY HARD ON THAT NATIONAL ACTION PLAN COMING FROM THE MISSING AND MURDERED INQUIRY.

THIS IS A PRIORITY THAT CONTINUES AND IS EVEN INTENSIFIED BECAUSE OF THIS CRISIS.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GENDER-SPECIFIC VIOLENCE ARE UNFORTUNATELY MORE PREVALENT DURING THE CRISIS BECAUSE OF STRESS, BECAUSE OF ISOLATION, BECAUSE OF VULNERABILITIES IN OUR POPULATION, SO THAT IS WHY WE ARE CONTINUING THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK OF MAKING EFFORTS TO REDUCE GENDER-BASED AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE RESPONSE TO THE REPORT ON MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS.

THE CRISIS IS NOT DELAYING THAT WORK.

IF ANYTHING, IT SHOULD MAKE US WORK FASTER.

[ End of Interpretation ] THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE STILL NOT BEING HELPED BY YOUR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

PEOPLE WHO WERE UNEMPLOYED BEFORE THE CRISIS BEGAN, PEOPLE ON DISABILITY OR SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, THEY'RE ALL LEFT OUT.

WILL HELP BE COMING FOR THEM? >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: WE KNOW IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT TO GET HELP OUT TO MILLIONS OF CANADIANS VERY QUICKLY AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.

WE'VE SEEN OVER 7 MILLION PEOPLE ACCESS THE CERB, THE CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT BUT WE'VE ALSO RECOGNIZED THERE IS MORE TO DO.

WE MADE MODIFICATIONS THAT ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE RECENTLY UNEMPLOYED WHOSE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS RAN OUT BEFORE COVID-19 STARTED WOULD ALSO QUALIFY FOR THE CERB.

WE PUT IN PLACE MEASURES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS.

WE'VE LOOKED FOR OTHER WAYS TO FILL GAPS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO.

AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE GIVEN MORE MONEY TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND NETWORKS THAT ARE SUPPORTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE IN CASES WHERE THE DIRECT SUPPORT WE'RE OFFERING CAN'T REACH PEOPLE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL CANADIANS BUT PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE CANADIANS ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH THIS CRISIS.

>> HI, PRIME MINISTER.

CHRIS LOWE WITH GLOBAL NEWS.

WITH ALL THE AID MONEY ROLLING OUT THE DOOR ARE YOU SIMULTANEOUSLY HELPING THE ECONOMY NOW OR WAITING? >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: I THINK WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE LONG TERM WHILE WE SUPPORT PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY WE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE WAGE SUBSIDY WHICH UNLIKE THE CERB WHICH IS THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO LOSE THEIR JOB AND PAYCHEQUE AND THEREFORE HAVE A BROKEN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PREVIOUS JOB.

THE WAGE SUBSIDY ALLOWS PEOPLE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THEIR EMPLOYMENT SO ONCE WE START BEING ABLE TO REOPEN CERTAIN SECTORS AND ONCE THE ECONOMY PICKS UP AGAIN, PEOPLE STILL HAVE THAT LINK BY GETTING A PAYCHEQUE FROM THAT EMPLOYER THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO GET BACK POSITIVELY AND QUICKLY.

THERE ARE A BROAD RANGE IN WAYS OF WHICH THE MEASURES WE'VE PUT FORWARD VERY MUCH THINKING ABOUT THE RECOVERY, THAT GOES PART AND PARCEL BUT OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS SUPPORTING CANADIANS SO THAT THEY CAN DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SLOW AND STOP THE SPREAD OF THIS PANDEMIC AS WE START LOOKING AT REOPENING.

>> I'M NOT QUESTIONING THE HELP.

I'M ASKING IF RECOVERY PLANS ARE HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY.

>> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: WE ARE OF COURSE LOOKING TOWARDS THE STEPS THAT WILL BE REQUIRED ON THE RECOVERY OF THE ECONOMY.

THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK THAT IS ONGOING BUT OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS ON RECOGNIZING THAT WE ARE NOT IN THE RECOVERY PHASE YET.

WE ARE NOT EVEN FULLY INTO THE RESTARTING PHASE YET.

WE ARE STILL IN THE EMERGENCY PHASE WHERE PEOPLE NEED TO GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE, TO STAY AT HOME EVEN AS CERTAIN REGIONS AND CERTAIN PLACES ARE TALKING ABOUT REOPENING THE VAST MAJORITY OF CANADIANS WILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND THAT'S WHY THEY HAD — THEY WILL CONTINUE TO NEED SUPPORT.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: WE KNOW EVEN THOUGH SOME PLACES ARE STARTING UP AGAIN SLOWLY, WE ARE STILL IN A POSITION WHERE MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, STAY AT HOME, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES, AS WE GRADUALLY AND SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY OPEN UP, WE RECOGNIZE THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO REMAIN AT HOME STILL AND THAT'S WHY OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AND WORKERS SO THAT THEY CAN DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SLOW DOWN THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

[ End of Interpretation ] THE SHIPMENT OF 8 MILLION N95 MASKS MADE IN CHINA THAT FAILED TO IMMEDIATE SPECIFICATIONS.

HOW BIG A LOSS WAS THAT TO CANADA AND GIVEN THAT THIS WAS A MONTRÉAL COMPANY THAT OUTSOURCED TO CHINA DOES THIS NOT PROVE WE SHOULD NOT BE RELYING ON FOREIGN OUTSOURCING FOR SUCH CRITICAL EQUIPMENT? >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING TO BRING IN AS MUCH PPE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

WE TALKED ABOUT 23 DIFFERENT FLIGHTS JUST FROM CHINA OF MILLIONS OF ITEMS OF PPE BECAUSE WE KNOW THE NEED HAS BEEN SO PRESSING.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE ENSURED THAT WE ARE RAMPING UP DOMESTIC CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE COVERING THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE FOR THE LONGER TERM AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE COMPANIES AND MANUFACTURERS WHO HAVE STEPPED UP.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO KNOW THAT IN THE MILLIONS OF ITEMS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED, WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE AT THE TOP QUALITY EXPECTED BY OUR CANADIAN HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND WITHHOLDING OR THE SUSPEND OF SHIPMENTS FROM THIS PARTICULAR SUPPLIER IS PROOF THAT OUR SYSTEM WORKS.

WE ARE TESTING ALL THOSE MASKS, ALL THOSE ITEMS BEFORE THEY REACH OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS BECAUSE WE WILL NOT COMPROMISE ON THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION FOR OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: FROM THE OUTSET, WE LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED IN ORDER TO GET AS MANY PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENTS AS POSSIBLE.

AND WE HAD 23 FLIGHTS COMING FROM CHINA AND DAILY WE RECEIVE MORE SHIPMENTS IN ORDER TO HELP OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

WE ALSO KNEW THAT WE HAD TO PUSH OUR DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND WE HAVE QUITE A NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS IN CANADA WHO ARE MEETING OUR REQUIREMENTS MORE AND MORE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO COUNT ON THEM IN THE MEDIUM TERM IMPORTING THOSE EQUIPMENTS.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE ALWAYS RISKS WHEN YOU ARE IMPORTING SOMETHING THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE UP TO THE STANDARD THAT WE DO DEMAND FOR THE EQUIPMENT USED BY OUR CANADIAN FRONTLINE WORKERS AND THIS IS WHY WE TEST THEM UPON ARRIVAL BEFORE SENDING THEM TO OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

THERE IS THE EXAMPLE OF THIS COMPANY IN MONTRÉAL WHICH GIVES US THE GUARANTEE OF A PREVIOUS SCREENING.

[ Speaking French ] [ No Interpretation ] [ Speaking French ] [ No Interpretation ] WE ARE CHECKING WITH THE SUPPLIER FOR THE PURPOSE TO RECEIVE THOSE ANOTHER PURPOSE OR ANOTHER USE BUT THAT'S POSSIBLE FOR THOSE MASKS AND SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NEED THEM BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY THE FULL PRICE FOR MASKS THAT WILL NOT BE USED FOR OUR HEALTH WORKERS.

[ Speaking French ] [ No Interpretation ] [ Speaking French ] [ No Interpretation ] [ End of Interpretation ] SAFE AND SLOW AND STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 WHILE AT THE SAME TIME GIVING PEOPLE THE MUCH NEEDED RESPITE AND SAFETY VALVES FROM THE STRESSES AND INDEED THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES MANY PEOPLE ARE FACING.

WE NEED TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE THROUGH THIS HEALTHY, WHICH MEANS BOTH FIGHTING COVID-19 AND SUPPORTING THEM AND ALLOWING FOR AS NORMAL LIVES AS WE CAN DESPITE THE DEEP ABNORMALITY OF THIS SITUATION.

IT'S AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION.

LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP ADJUSTING ALL OF US WHEN WE GET THINGS RIGHT WHEN WE GET THINGS WRONG.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: QUESTION RADIO-CANADA.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT ALSO NOT TAKE DIRECTIVES AND DIRECTIONS SERIOUSLY ENOUGH, AND SOME PEOPLE ARE A BIT HASTY IN JUMPING TOWARDS REMOVING THE ISOLATION RULES.

SO DO YOU HAVE SOME PEOPLE IN YOUR RIDINGS WHOM YOU MUST PROTECT AND YOU HAVE A RIDING IN MONTRÉAL.

SO WHAT YOU DO INTEND TO DO? >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau (Voice of Interpreter): WELL, I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR PEOPLE IN MONTRÉAL IN MY RIDING AS I AM CONCERNED FOR THE WHOLE CANADIAN POPULATION SO WE SHOULD MAKE FACT-BASED DECISIONS AND WE SHOULD HAVE AS A PRIORITY THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS AND THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN A WAY THAT KEEPS PEOPLE SECURE AND SAFE.

AND THIS SHOULD BE AND IS OUR PRIORITY AND I'M VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE SITUATION IN THE LONG-TERM CARE HOMES IN MY PAPINEAU COUNTY AND I'M ALSO IN TOUCH WITH THE LEGAULT GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE WE DO WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE PEOPLE AND KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

[ End of Interpretation ] ABOUT THE SITUATION GOING ON IN MY RIDING AND IN THE PROVINCE AS I AM CONCERNED ABOUT CANADIANS FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST AS PRIME MINISTER.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GO PROGRESS CLIFF AND SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY ON ANY REOPENING KEEPING AT TOP OF MIND THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND HEALTHY.

I UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC PRESSURES WE'RE ALL UNDER AND I UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH PEOPLE DO WANT TO GO OUTSIDE BUT WE NEED TO DO IT IN WAYS THAT WE ARE SURE ARE GOING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE BECAUSE THE LAST THING PEOPLE WANT IS A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW BEING TOLD OKAY, WE LOOSENED THE RULES AND NOW COVID IS SPREADING AGAIN AND YOU'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO GO INSIDE FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

THAT'S WHY BEING VERY CAREFUL STEP BY STEP IS GOING TO BE SO IMPORTANT.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: REGARDING EMERGENCY INGREDIENTS AND PRODUCTS, SOME PEOPLE DO NOT RESPECT THE DUAL LANGUAGES LABELLING IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.

WILL YOU MAKE SURE ALL PRODUCTS HAVE THEIR LABELS IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF CANADA.

>> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau (Voice of Interpreter): WE KNOW THAT LIBERALS IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES NOT ONLY A MATTER OF THE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL EXISTENCE OF TWO OFFICIAL LANGUAGES IN CANADA BUT IT IS ALSO A MATTER OF SAFETY.

FOR CONSUMERS, PEOPLE WHO USE THOSE PRODUCTS, PRIME MINISTER, SO THAT PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED, WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE PROTECTED.

THIS IS WHY WE WERE QUITE CONCERNED WHEN HEALTH CANADA AND THIS WAS ALSO SHARED BY SANTE QUÉBEC WHEN THE DECIDED SIMILAR PROVISIONS, LOOKING FOR OTHER SOLUTIONS IN ORDER TO JUST PROVIDE INFORMATION IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AND EVEN OTHER LANGUAGES IF NECESSARY FOR USERS.

[ End of Interpretation ] WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT BILINGUAL LABELLING IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT BILINGUAL GYMISM OF OUR COUNTRY BUT IT'S A QUESTION OF SAFETY AS WELL.

IT'S A QUESTION OF ACTUALLY ENSURING THAT PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO SAFELY USE A PRODUCT THAT THEY ARE USING OR THEY ARE PURCHASING.

THAT'S WHY I KNOW HEALTH CANADA AND INDEED HEALTH QUÉBEC, THEY APPROVED UNILINGUAL ENGLISH LABELING IN CERTAIN CASES, DIDN'T PARTICULARLY WANT TO AND LOOKED HARD TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

ON THE HEALTH CANADA SIDE WE MOVED FORWARD WITH ONLINE INFORMATION THAT PEOPLE CAN ACCESS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THE PRODUCTS THEY'RE USING.

>> IAN WOOD, CTV NEWS.

>> PRIME MINISTER, YOU PREVIOUSLY SAID THAT THE ECONOMY AND BUSINESSES SHOULD ONLY REOPEN IF THEY HAVE ADEQUATE PPE TO PROTECT WORKERS.

GIVEN THE PROCUREMENT ISSUES, ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS TO THE PROVINCES THAT MAYBE THEY SCALE BACK ON THEIR REOPENING PLANS AND HOW LONG IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY SUBSIDIES? >> Rt.

Hon.

Justin Trudeau: FIRST OF ALL, WE AGREED AS ALL FIRST MINISTERS, PREMIERS OF PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THERE ARE PRINCIPLES THAT NEED TO UNDERLIE ANY RESTARTING OF THE ECONOMY AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD ON CAREFULLY.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE CONTINUING TO PROCURE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PPE INCLUDING FLIGHTS ALMOST DAILY FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH FROM CHINA AND ELSEWHERE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH EQUIPMENT EVEN AS THE CANADIAN PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF THESE EQUIPMENTS ARE STARTING TO COME ONLINE AND DELIVER THEIR PRODUCTS AS WELL.

WE KNOW AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO REOPENING, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WORKPLACES ARE SAFE FOR CANADIANS AND WE ARE ARRESTING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND PREVENTING A SECOND WAVE THAT COULD SEND US ALL BACK INTO CONFINEMENT THIS SUMMER WHICH WE CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO BE DOING.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE PROVINCES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO FULFILL THE LEVELS THEY ARE PROJECTING THEY WILL NEED IN TERMS OF PPE AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE.

AS FOR HOW LONG THE SUPPORTS ARE GOING TO LAST, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP ADJUSTING TO WHAT THE ECONOMY NEEDS' ARE BUT MOSTLY WHAT THE NEEDS OF CANADIANS ARE TO BE SUPPORTED AND TO STAY SAFE THROUGH THIS SITUATION.

[ Speaking French ] >> Voice of Interpreter: WE OPERATED WITH PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF HELPING BRING CLOSER A GRADUAL RESTARTING OF THE ECONOMY, WHICH OF COURSE ENTAILS HAVING ENOUGH PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO PREVENT A NEW SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.

AND WE WILL BE ENDEAVOURING TO IMPORT MORE PPE AND WE'LL BE COOPERATING WITH THE PROVINCES TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS ALL THE WHILE PUSHING FOR MORE DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY, EVERY PROVINCE AND TERRITORY WILL HAVE ENOUGH EQUIPMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A SECURE RESTARTING OF OUR ECONOMY.

REGARDING THE BENEFITS FOR CANADIANS, WE WILL BE ADJUSTING OUR HELP TO THE CANADIAN POPULATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF HELPING THEM AND AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTING THEM AND STARTING AGAIN ECONOMY.

THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.

[ End of Inter.