Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says federal departments and some Canadian provinces are working to send health−care workers and equipment to help Ontario as it battles record−breaking COVID−19 numbers.
Trudeau said in a video update today that health care workers employed by government departments such as national defence and immigration will be redeployed to Ontario, and the Greater Toronto area in particular.
The prime minister says he has also spoken to the premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, who are evaluating what human resources and equipment they can free up in the next few days.
He says the federal government will also work with Ontario cities to deploy rapid tests to hard−hit locations and would cover the costs of relocating resources from other provinces who can spare them.
His statement comes as hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units continue to reach record heights in Ontario, which reported over 4,200 new COVID−19 infections more than the last 24 hours.
Premier Doug Ford announced a number of new restrictions to quell the skyrocketing numbers, but has faced pressure to roll back limits on outdoor activities, which critics have said will do little to stop the spread.
