nationalobserver--2020-04-17--A stitch in time: Community quilters shield front-line workers facing COVID-19

Quadra Island quilter Terry Phillips is running a small but frenetic manufacturing assembly line in her bucolic rural community during the COVID-19 pandemic .
When her sister-in-law Wendy Richardson issued a plea in mid-March for cloth masks to protect front-line social service workers on neighbouring Vancouver Island during the novel coronavirus crisis , Phillips turned to her fellow Quadra Island Quilters .
The group , working in tandem with the Campbell River Friendship Quilters Guild , immediately established a cottage industry , revved up their sewing machines and churned out hundreds of masks for those who needed them most .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 masks and we made up the balance of 200 masks , which were then distributed in Campbell River and Courtenay , '' said Phillips .
The bulk of the cloth masks went to workers and clients at the John Howard Society of the North Island ( JHSNI ) , which serves at-risk youth , homeless adults and vulnerable families on Vancouver Island .
Any extras were donated to other agencies serving vulnerable people during the pandemic .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil company CEOs Once word got out that Quadra quilters were making the colourful cloth masks for workers in Campbell River , requests started coming in locally , said Phillips .
“ We started getting requests from Quadra home-care workers .
But I was worried about their effectiveness if they weren ’ t used carefully , ” she said .
But after conversations with members of the Quadra Emergency Program ( QEP ) , Phillips was satisfied steps would be taken to ensure the cloth masks were carefully distributed .
Betty Doak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on distribution duties and make sure recipients who got the masks were advised about their limitations and how to use them properly , said Phillips .
Expanding production , the group set up a Facebook page that now has 59 members who are either volunteer sewers , or are involved in collection or distribution , or in sourcing or donating supplies .
To improve efficiency and streamline production with volunteer sewers , Phillips and her team are now producing mask kits as well .
The kits contain all the supplies and cut materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 masks .
“ If we had 40 sewers , we ’ d all have to do 50 masks each to make 2,000 .
That ’ s the magic number to cover all the adults on the island , '' says Quadra Island quilter Terry Phillips , who with volunteers have sewn hundreds of masks for their community .
As of Wednesday , 800 kits had been assembled and about 500 cloth masks had been made by approximately 30 sewers on the island .
The production of individual masks varies according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ People are doing what they can and there ’ s certainly no pressure .
It takes me an hour to do eight masks and I ’ m pretty fast , ” she said .
“ I gently crack the whip once a day … because I try to give an update on the Facebook page and try to encourage people.
” Phillips is spending on average 10 hours a day in her quilting studio , making at least a 100 mask kits daily and leaving them in her carport for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re all going to burn out , ” Phillips said with a laugh .
Richardson , who issued the initial call for masks and is executive director for JHSNI , said she was blown away by the response from the Quadra and Campbell River quilters .
“ I couldn ’ t believe how amazing it was , and it felt good to have that kind of support , especially at the beginning when things felt quite scary , ” said Richardson .
But the society ’ s front-line workers are more critical than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ Our clients are more likely to end up in hospital if we ’ re not working with them , ” she said .
“ But we need to be here to do the work .
If we don ’ t , it will all collapse , and it was very encouraging to be helped.
” Worried about staff and vulnerable clients , Richardson researched cloth masks after she couldn ’ t get a hold of surgical masks typically used by health workers .
So , she found a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and JHSNI addictions counsellor , Kerry Hammell , who is also president of the Campbell River Friendship quilters , for feedback .
“ Within a week , we had 700 masks .
More than we needed , ” said Richardson , adding the surplus was donated to other community agencies in Campbell River .
“ So many people have graciously donated , not only their time , but also the supplies , ” said Richardson , who lives on Quadra and has sewn 100 masks herself .
Wendy Richardson and Kerry Hammell of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth masks sewn Quadra Island and Campbell River quilting guilds to protect frontline social workers .
Photo : courtesy of Johan Howard Society .
Phillips concurs that islanders ’ generosity has fuelled the mask-making project .
At one point , the mask makers were struggling to find enough elastic and a mechanism to make the “ bendy bit that fits over the nose , ” said Phillips .
Residents stepped up and donated cloth and any elastic they had handy , and Quadra ’ s Aroma Specialty Coffees Roaster provided heavy-duty twist ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The ties are fantastic .
They were just the ticket to solve that nosepiece problem , ” Phillips said .
Despite her obvious zeal for producing cloth masks , Phillips has some serious reservations about their use by the public .
She ’ s worried people will think wearing a cloth mask means they can ease up on COVID-19 prevention measures .
“ It ’ s not an excuse to stop social distancing .
Wearing a mask doesn ’ t protect you from the virus , but it may help with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Phillips stressed .
“ Frankly , I think everybody would be safer staying at home , but if you have to go grocery shopping , the people around you will feel better.
” Each cloth mask made by the Quadra group comes packaged with instructions on how to use and clean the mask , along with a lengthy disclaimer that states it in no way replaces a medical grade mask and a list of its limitations .
Despite that , the cloth masks have been requested and distributed to at-risk seniors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firefighters and medical staff on the island , said Phillips .
The mask-making group has now covered off the high-priority users and is starting to distribute them outside the island ’ s grocery stores to the public .
And Phillips has an end goal in mind .
“ If we had 40 sewers , we ’ d all have to do 50 masks each to make 2,000 .
That ’ s the magic number to cover all the adults on the island .
”

Quadra Island quilter Terry Phillips is running a small but frenetic manufacturing assembly line in her bucolic rural community during the COVID-19 pandemic. When her sister-in-law Wendy Richardson issued a plea in mid-March for cloth masks to protect front-line social service workers on neighbouring Vancouver Island during the novel coronavirus crisis, Phillips turned to her fellow Quadra Island Quilters. The group, working in tandem with the Campbell River Friendship Quilters Guild, immediately established a cottage industry, revved up their sewing machines and churned out hundreds of masks for those who needed them most. “The Campbell River Guild made over 500 masks and we made up the balance of 200 masks, which were then distributed in Campbell River and Courtenay," said Phillips. The bulk of the cloth masks went to workers and clients at the John Howard Society of the North Island (JHSNI), which serves at-risk youth, homeless adults and vulnerable families on Vancouver Island. Any extras were donated to other agencies serving vulnerable people during the pandemic.
Once word got out that Quadra quilters were making the colourful cloth masks for workers in Campbell River, requests started coming in locally, said Phillips. “We started getting requests from Quadra home-care workers. But I was worried about their effectiveness if they weren’t used carefully,” she said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions But after conversations with members of the Quadra Emergency Program (QEP), Phillips was satisfied steps would be taken to ensure the cloth masks were carefully distributed.
Betty Doak, with the QEP, agreed to take on distribution duties and make sure recipients who got the masks were advised about their limitations and how to use them properly, said Phillips. “If we had 40 sewers, we’d all have to do 50 masks each to make 2,000. That’s the magic number to cover all the adults on the island," says Quadra Island quilter Terry Phillips, who with volunteers have sewn hundreds of masks for their community. Expanding production, the group set up a Facebook page that now has 59 members who are either volunteer sewers, or are involved in collection or distribution, or in sourcing or donating supplies. To improve efficiency and streamline production with volunteer sewers, Phillips and her team are now producing mask kits as well. The kits contain all the supplies and cut materials volunteer sewers need to make 10 to 20 masks. As of Wednesday, 800 kits had been assembled and about 500 cloth masks had been made by approximately 30 sewers on the island. The production of individual masks varies according to the volunteer's time and experience, Phillips said.
“People are doing what they can and there’s certainly no pressure. It takes me an hour to do eight masks and I’m pretty fast,” she said. “I gently crack the whip once a day … because I try to give an update on the Facebook page and try to encourage people.” Phillips is spending on average 10 hours a day in her quilting studio, making at least a 100 mask kits daily and leaving them in her carport for pickup. “I think we’re all going to burn out,” Phillips said with a laugh.


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--Ford’s Ontario seeks to deny climate youth their day in court

The Doug Ford government wants to deny a group of seven young climate activists their day in court .
The provincial government ’ s attorney general , Doug Downey , filed a motion asking an Ontario court to dismiss the young people ’ s case challenging its environmental policy on Wednesday , arguing that it would be impossible to prove the allegations of harm .
The seven youth — backed by environmental law charity Ecojustice and law firm Stockwoods LLP — filed their claim last November , arguing that Ford ’ s decision to rip up the province ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction target violated their right ( and that of future generations ) to a stable climate system and sustainable future .
“ The allegations of harms attributed to Ontario ’ s actions are manifestly incapable of being proven , ” the government wrote in the filing , dated April 15 .
It adds : “ The relief sought is vague , judicially unmanageable and unbounded in scope , particularly to the extent that it seeks declarations and orders in relation to a “ stable climate system ” , a “ sustainable future ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reduction of greenhouse gas emission reductions.
” • Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs That did not sit well with one of the seven young plaintiffs .
“ We ’ re not being vague , we ’ re telling them we need to take action and being pretty specific , ” 13-year-old Sophia Mathur said in a phone interview .
“ It feels like the government is not listening to us , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The young people ’ s claim wanted the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to order the government to revise it much-maligned environmental plan to hit a science-based target considered necessary to avert the worst effects of climate change .
The province 's auditor-general said in December that the Ford government 's threadbare climate and environment policies were insufficient to meet Ontario ’ s 2030 emission reduction targets and riddled with errors and omissions .
Ford scrapped the cap and trade program , which was raising almost $ 2 billion a year , within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It feels like the government is not listening to us , ” says @ sophiamathur , one of the young plaintiffs in a climate action case Ontario 's Ford government wants dismissed .
“ We want action.
” It then dismantled the broader climate action plan it funded , including incentives for Ontario residents to buy electric vehicles , rebates for energy-efficient building renovations , and support for clean technology business accelerators .
Ford ’ s government has also cancelled more than 700 green energy projects — including the shutting down of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed electric vehicle chargers from GO station parking lots , cancelled a $ 4.7 million program to plant 50 million trees , and cut $ 3.7 million in funding for conservation authorities .
“ I ’ m pretty sure he knows he ’ s not taking enough action on the climate crisis , ” Mathur said about Ford .
“ Seeing people telling him that he ’ s not doing enough is scaring him.
” The hearing on the motion is set for July 13 .

The Doug Ford government wants to deny a group of seven young climate activists their day in court.
The provincial government’s attorney general, Doug Downey, filed a motion asking an Ontario court to dismiss the young people’s case challenging its environmental policy on Wednesday, arguing that it would be impossible to prove the allegations of harm.
The seven youth — backed by environmental law charity Ecojustice and law firm Stockwoods LLP — filed their claim last November, arguing that Ford’s decision to rip up the province’s cap-and-trade program and weaken its 2030 GHG reduction target violated their right (and that of future generations) to a stable climate system and sustainable future.
“The allegations of harms attributed to Ontario’s actions are manifestly incapable of being proven,” the government wrote in the filing, dated April 15.
It adds: “The relief sought is vague, judicially unmanageable and unbounded in scope, particularly to the extent that it seeks declarations and orders in relation to a “stable climate system”, a “sustainable future”, and “science-based” targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission reductions.”


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--Shortages of drugs used to ventilate COVID-19 patients

Emergency doctors have been warned to try to avoid using the limited supply of medications needed for patients on ventilators , as they could be critical in the fight against COVID-19 .
Putting a patient on an artificial breathing machine , as happens with people severely sick with COVID-19 , usually requires a sedative such as propofol , and painkillers such as fentanyl and morphine .
The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians wrote a statement to members , warning them of potential shortages of those drugs and their responsibility for conserving them .
`` These medications are increasingly used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their traditional use in the OR and ICU , '' the association wrote .
`` As such , emergency physicians have some agency with respect to their use and increasing responsibility for their stewardship . ''
Propofol and morphine shortages have already been reported to Health Canada by some manufacturers in the last week .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs The association warned Canada 's shortage could become critical in weeks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore requires immediate investigation and action , '' the association wrote in a statement .
There are fears a shortage of the drugs could aggravate a dreaded scenario in which ICUs are flooded with critical COVID-19 patients .
Emergency doctors have been warned to try to safeguard the limited supply by looking for alternative medications and reducing waste .
The group has called on federal and provincial governments to review the existing stock and keep doctors informed .
They also suggest the government needs to manage the national supply of those vital drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid shortages .
Countries around the world have grappled with drug shortages , as the virus has wrought havoc on manufacturing plants and distribution .
Emergency doctors urged to avoid drugs used to ventilate COVID-19 patients The Public Health Agency of Canada and Procurement Canada are working to secure a steady supply of essential medications , needed for daily use as well as the treatment of COVID-19 , the prime minister said Wednesday .
`` We have very strong relationships around the world on getting medication and necessary supplies , '' Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doing everything it can to make sure hospitals and patients have what they need .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15 , 2020 .

Emergency doctors have been warned to try to avoid using the limited supply of medications needed for patients on ventilators, as they could be critical in the fight against COVID-19.
Putting a patient on an artificial breathing machine, as happens with people severely sick with COVID-19, usually requires a sedative such as propofol, and painkillers such as fentanyl and morphine.
The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians wrote a statement to members, warning them of potential shortages of those drugs and their responsibility for conserving them.
"These medications are increasingly used in the emergency department, in addition to their traditional use in the OR and ICU," the association wrote. "As such, emergency physicians have some agency with respect to their use and increasing responsibility for their stewardship."
Propofol and morphine shortages have already been reported to Health Canada by some manufacturers in the last week.


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--Heavy fines and policing won't make people safer from COVID-19: criminologists

Corey Yanofsky , a data scientist living in Ottawa , took his dog out for a walk last week and ended up with an $ 880 fine for standing in the wrong place during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Obi Ifedi of Ottawa was walking through a park with his daughter April 4 when he was approached by a city bylaw officer .
He says he was eventually tackled and ended the evening with a bruised lip and fines totalling more than $ 2,000 .
Then there was Melissa Leblanc of the Montreal suburb of Beaconsfield , who was greeted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and friends wished her a happy birthday from their cars .
They are just a handful of the hundreds of Canadians feeling the impact of policies that governments have put in place since March aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 .
But experts in criminology and law are pushing back against the conventional wisdom that giving police the power to levy heavy fines will make people safer .
They argue public health directives are unclear , and the way they are being enforced is counterproductive and a distraction from the failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Moreover , they say , the heavy fines disproportionately affect people of limited means , people of colour and marginalized communities .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs Ifedi , a stay-at-home father originally from Nigeria , said he and his daughter left an Ottawa park after being ordered to do so .
But he alleges the agent followed and continued to scold them as they walked home .
Ifedi said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs stating the park was closed .
`` He did n't like me talking back , '' Ifedi said in an interview Tuesday .
`` That 's when he said : 'You know what , I will write you a ticket .
Give me your name . '
`` Halifax-based lawyer David Fraser said police in his city have previously been called out for racial profiling .
A 2019 report commissioned by the provincial human rights commission indicated black males in the Halifax area were nine times more likely to be stopped by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , author of the Canadian Privacy Law Blog , said there is little reason to believe profiling has stopped during the pandemic .
And he said the province 's public health orders are unclear , hastily drawn up and may lead to over-policing .
For example , he said , on Sunday , Halifax Regional Police denied rumours their officers were stopping all vehicles carrying two or more people in order to check for non-essential travel .
`` While inspecting vehicles can at times be part of our # COVID-19 enforcement efforts if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped , '' the police said on Twitter .
Fraser said that message strongly suggests police are sometimes stopping cars , even though nothing in the public health orders gives police added authority to stop vehicles or interrogate people .
In response to a question about how the province 's public health directives give officers the right to stop vehicles , Halifax Regional Police spokesman Const .
John MacLeod said questions about the specifics of the order are the responsibility of the province .
`` As always , in every situation , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unbiased and respectful manner , '' he said in an email Tuesday .
Fraser also took issue with a March 30 order by Nova Scotia Justice Minister Mark Furey , which stated police `` shall escalate their efforts from public education to enforcement , in accordance with officer discretion . ''
If police are being told that whenever they see an infraction , issue a ticket , Fraser said , `` we know that police are present in minority communities way more than they are in affluent communities . ''
Criminology researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police enforcement of the pandemic across Canada .
Their project , `` Policing the Pandemic , '' collects data from media articles , police press releases , and social media posts .
Between April 4-13 , their research indicates there were at least 735 violations of public health and emergency law offences , most of which took place in Quebec ( 324 ) , Nova Scotia ( 228 ) and Ontario ( 161 ) .
Luscombe , a PhD student in the Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who do n't have room to comfortably self-isolate or who have n't been properly educated about the spread of COVID-19 .
He said he is not aware of any criminological research that indicates ticketing is an effective way to deter bad behaviour .
`` You only have to look at speeding as one example where ticketing is used as the main form of social control by police , '' he said in a recent interview , `` but we do n't necessarily see an end to speeding , do we ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Ottawa , researches the criminalization of communicable diseases , particularly HIV .
He says it 's still early , but he expects this crisis to produce similar policing patterns that emerged from the AIDS crisis .
`` Black and brown people , and poor and Indigenous people are over-represented in criminal cases related to HIV , '' he said .
McClelland warned against a government approach on COVID-19 that singles out people for jail time or fines .
`` What that does is individualizes our response , '' he said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we can point out one person and say , 'They are the person to blame — put them away . '
But what that does is that we do n't ask broader questions about why our health-care system has n't rolled out massive testing . ''
Meanwhile , Yanofsky , 41 , said he is contesting the hefty ticket he received April 5 .
The park had signs , he said , stating the area was closed to limit the spread of COVID-19 , `` except for walk through . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extremely limited meaning of 'walk through , ' '' he said .
Ifedi , 39 , said he has hired a lawyer and plans on contesting his fine .
He said the bylaw officer followed him , asking for his name , and then called over two police officers who happened to be close by .
Ifedi said he refused to give his name to the bylaw agent and to the police officers .
He said he remembers being tackled to the ground and punched in the face by the bylaw agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Roger Chapman , director of By-Law & Regulatory Services for the city of Ottawa , said his department `` denies any improper conduct allegations and the characterization of the incident . ''
`` However , in light of potential court process , BLRS will not provide any further comment . ''
Michael Bryant , executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association , said he is working with Ifedi and assessing whether the CCLA will intervene in the case , which he said `` raises the possibility of racial profiling . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sour turn , said police told her they had received a call from a neighbour , and they threatened her with a $ 1,500 fine and jail time for a subsequent offence .
In the end she got off with a warning , but she worries about the climate police are working in .
`` I know they were stressed , '' she said in a recent interview .
`` But do n't take it out on me . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15 , 2020 @

Corey Yanofsky, a data scientist living in Ottawa, took his dog out for a walk last week and ended up with an $880 fine for standing in the wrong place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Obi Ifedi of Ottawa was walking through a park with his daughter April 4 when he was approached by a city bylaw officer. He says he was eventually tackled and ended the evening with a bruised lip and fines totalling more than $2,000. Then there was Melissa Leblanc of the Montreal suburb of Beaconsfield, who was greeted by police at her door April 5 after family and friends wished her a happy birthday from their cars. They are just a handful of the hundreds of Canadians feeling the impact of policies that governments have put in place since March aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19. But experts in criminology and law are pushing back against the conventional wisdom that giving police the power to levy heavy fines will make people safer. They argue public health directives are unclear, and the way they are being enforced is counterproductive and a distraction from the failure of the state to better prepare for COVID-19. Moreover, they say, the heavy fines disproportionately affect people of limited means, people of colour and marginalized communities.
Ifedi, a stay-at-home father originally from Nigeria, said he and his daughter left an Ottawa park after being ordered to do so. But he alleges the agent followed and continued to scold them as they walked home. Ifedi said he told the officer there weren't any signs stating the park was closed. "He didn't like me talking back," Ifedi said in an interview Tuesday. "That's when he said: 'You know what, I will write you a ticket. Give me your name.' " Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Halifax-based lawyer David Fraser said police in his city have previously been called out for racial profiling. A 2019 report commissioned by the provincial human rights commission indicated black males in the Halifax area were nine times more likely to be stopped by police than the general population.
Fraser, author of the Canadian Privacy Law Blog, said there is little reason to believe profiling has stopped during the pandemic. And he said the province's public health orders are unclear, hastily drawn up and may lead to over-policing. Harsh policing and big fines don't make people safer from COVID-19: criminologists For example, he said, on Sunday, Halifax Regional Police denied rumours their officers were stopping all vehicles carrying two or more people in order to check for non-essential travel. "While inspecting vehicles can at times be part of our #COVID-19 enforcement efforts if necessary, NOT ALL vehicles are being stopped," the police said on Twitter. Fraser said that message strongly suggests police are sometimes stopping cars, even though nothing in the public health orders gives police added authority to stop vehicles or interrogate people. In response to a question about how the province's public health directives give officers the right to stop vehicles, Halifax Regional Police spokesman Const. John MacLeod said questions about the specifics of the order are the responsibility of the province. "As always, in every situation, our officers are expected to conduct themselves in an unbiased and respectful manner," he said in an email Tuesday.
Fraser also took issue with a March 30 order by Nova Scotia Justice Minister Mark Furey, which stated police "shall escalate their efforts from public education to enforcement, in accordance with officer discretion." If police are being told that whenever they see an infraction, issue a ticket, Fraser said, "we know that police are present in minority communities way more than they are in affluent communities." Criminology researchers Alex Luscombe and Alexander McClelland are mapping the police enforcement of the pandemic across Canada. Their project, "Policing the Pandemic," collects data from media articles, police press releases, and social media posts.


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--Trudeau refuses to point fingers as Trump calls out WHO

Now is not the time to point fingers or assign blame for COVID-19 , Canada 's federal government said Wednesday after Donald Trump , his re-election hopes hijacked by a deadly global pandemic , turned his populist cannons on the World Health Organization .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau refused to be drawn into the Trump administration 's latest political offensive , insisting that his Liberal government would concentrate for the time being on helping Canadians avoid getting sick .
`` That is our focus right now — what can we do now , what do we need to do in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lean on experts in international institutions and in partner countries around the world for making recommendations alongside our domestic experts on what we need to do now , '' Trudeau said .
`` There will be plenty of time as we move forward to reflect on challenges that were faced in the past .
We need to learn and move forward as quickly as we can . ''
In the United States , where the outbreak of the virus has killed more than 26,000 people , sickened more than 600,000 and plunged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing the UN agency of botching its initial response to the outbreak in China and covering up the extent of the emerging threat .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs He has ordered a halt to funding — the U.S. is the WHO 's single largest financial benefactor , providing hundreds of millions of dollars each year — pending the results of a review to examine why `` credible reports '' that conflicted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't properly investigated , and why early evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus in China was ignored .
But the president 's not alone in calling out the agency : Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer wants Trudeau to explain why Canada has been so dependent on an organization so closely aligned with China .
`` We 've got serious concerns about the accuracy of the information coming out of the WHO , '' Scheer said .
`` It 's incumbent upon this government to explain why they have based so many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press reported Wednesday that six days passed between when Chinese officials knew about the real dangers of the virus and when the public was warned , time that likely allowed the outbreak to blossom into a full-blown global public health disaster .
The WHO failed outright in calling out China 's lack of transparency , the president said — although he neglected to acknowledge his own public statements in January thanking President Xi Jinping and praising the country 's efforts in fighting the virus .
On paper , the move is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a mixed track record , deep ties to the rules-based international order and an outsized financial dependence on American dollars .
He has in the past also targeted the World Trade Organization and likes to take credit for shaming fellow NATO members into spending millions more on the military alliance .
Time for pointing fingers will come later , Trudeau says as Trump calls out WHO Countries around the world greeted the timing of the decision , if not the decision itself , with condemnation .
So too did Microsoft founder Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose foundation rivals the U.S. as one of the agency 's largest contributors .
`` The world needs WHO now more than ever , '' Gates wrote on Twitter .
Trudeau said Trump has not asked Canada to adjust its contributions to the WHO — $ 17.5 million for 2020 , paid in full , along with an additional $ 15 million since Feb. 11 specifically for the agency 's response to COVID-19 , a government spokesman said .
By comparison , the U.S. pays more than $ 500 million a year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a `` very valuable tool '' under normal circumstances , said Health Minister Patty Hajdu — but especially during a serious viral outbreak .
`` Canada values the work of the World Health Organization , and we continue to commit to contribute towards the work of the organization , '' said Hajdu , citing its ability to bring countries , scientists and researchers together to find both short- and long-term solutions .
`` Any response to COVID-19 , and in fact really any global outbreak , is one where countries have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their research and to really share their efforts to manage these outbreaks — that will happen again and again and again , by the way . ''
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the WHO 's director-general , last week urged the world to resist the temptation to politicize the pandemic , a message that clearly went unheeded in Washington .
`` When we are divided , the virus exploits the cracks between us , '' Tedros said Wednesday , expressing `` regret '' at Trump 's decision .
`` No doubt , areas for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lessons for all of us to learn .
But for now , our focus — my focus — is on stopping this virus and saving lives . ''

Now is not the time to point fingers or assign blame for COVID-19, Canada's federal government said Wednesday after Donald Trump, his re-election hopes hijacked by a deadly global pandemic, turned his populist cannons on the World Health Organization. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau refused to be drawn into the Trump administration's latest political offensive, insisting that his Liberal government would concentrate for the time being on helping Canadians avoid getting sick. "That is our focus right now — what can we do now, what do we need to do in the coming weeks, how do we lean on experts in international institutions and in partner countries around the world for making recommendations alongside our domestic experts on what we need to do now," Trudeau said. "There will be plenty of time as we move forward to reflect on challenges that were faced in the past. We need to learn and move forward as quickly as we can." In the United States, where the outbreak of the virus has killed more than 26,000 people, sickened more than 600,000 and plunged the economy into suspended animation, Trump is accusing the UN agency of botching its initial response to the outbreak in China and covering up the extent of the emerging threat.
He has ordered a halt to funding — the U.S. is the WHO's single largest financial benefactor, providing hundreds of millions of dollars each year — pending the results of a review to examine why "credible reports" that conflicted with official accounts from the Chinese government weren't properly investigated, and why early evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus in China was ignored. But the president's not alone in calling out the agency: Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer wants Trudeau to explain why Canada has been so dependent on an organization so closely aligned with China. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "We've got serious concerns about the accuracy of the information coming out of the WHO," Scheer said. "It's incumbent upon this government to explain why they have based so many of their decisions on the WHO."
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that six days passed between when Chinese officials knew about the real dangers of the virus and when the public was warned, time that likely allowed the outbreak to blossom into a full-blown global public health disaster. Time for pointing fingers will come later, Trudeau says as Trump calls out WHO The WHO failed outright in calling out China's lack of transparency, the president said — although he neglected to acknowledge his own public statements in January thanking President Xi Jinping and praising the country's efforts in fighting the virus. On paper, the move is classic Trump: attacking a multilateral institution with a mixed track record, deep ties to the rules-based international order and an outsized financial dependence on American dollars. He has in the past also targeted the World Trade Organization and likes to take credit for shaming fellow NATO members into spending millions more on the military alliance. Countries around the world greeted the timing of the decision, if not the decision itself, with condemnation. So too did Microsoft founder Bill Gates, now a global health philanthropist whose foundation rivals the U.S. as one of the agency's largest contributors. "The world needs WHO now more than ever," Gates wrote on Twitter.
Trudeau said Trump has not asked Canada to adjust its contributions to the WHO — $17.5 million for 2020, paid in full, along with an additional $15 million since Feb. 11 specifically for the agency's response to COVID-19, a government spokesman said. By comparison, the U.S. pays more than $500 million a year in annual assessments. It's money well-spent on a "very valuable tool" under normal circumstances, said Health Minister Patty Hajdu — but especially during a serious viral outbreak. "Canada values the work of the World Health Organization, and we continue to commit to contribute towards the work of the organization," said Hajdu, citing its ability to bring countries, scientists and researchers together to find both short- and long-term solutions.


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--Trump suggests Canada-U.S. border restrictions could soon be eased

President Donald Trump signalled Wednesday that he 's prepared to support easing travel restrictions along the Canada-U.S. border sooner rather than later — although the feeling may not be mutual , given the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States .
Canada is `` doing well '' in its efforts to control the spread of the virus , Trump said during his daily media briefing at the White House .
In the same breath , however , the president — who makes no secret of his urgent desire to see the American economy come roaring back to life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with efforts in the U.S. , a comparison sure to raise eyebrows north of the border .
`` Our relationship with Canada is very good — we ’ ll talk about that .
It will be one of the early borders to be released , '' the president said .
`` Canada ’ s doing well , we ’ re doing well — so we ’ ll see . ''
The two countries negotiated a mutual ban on non-essential travel in both directions in mid-March , an agreement that explicitly exempted the flow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as vital health care workers like nurses who live and work on opposite sides of the border .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs That agreement is currently due to expire early next week .
Other travel restrictions , such as a U.S. ban on foreign nationals arriving from a long list of European countries , are likely to remain in place a while longer , Trump said .
`` We have a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some are getting better , ( but ) some are still on the way up , unfortunately .
We ’ re keeping very strong borders with those nations , '' he said .
`` But with Canada , we are talking about different things . ''
If indeed the U.S. is anxious to lift the restrictions , the dramatic imbalance in the outbreak 's severity in the two countries — the U.S. has more than 560,000 active cases , the most in the world , while Canada 's caseload is just over 18,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an awkward position .
Earlier Wednesday , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear that efforts to control the spread of the virus in Canada are likely to remain in place for several more weeks .
And on Tuesday , the government tightened its self-isolation requirements for those arriving from outside the country 's borders , making an extended hotel stay mandatory for anyone without a suitable quarantine plan .
Widespread testing and the ability to rapidly track down the contacts of infected people will be key to an eventual return to normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada-U.S. border could soon be eased , Trump suggests `` We have to be through this first wave sufficiently to be able to know we have the capacity to stamp out and restrict any future outbreaks as they come along , '' he said .
`` That means technology , that means better testing capacity , that means continued vigilance — not just by governments but by all Canadians ... .
We 're still a number of weeks away from that . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump signalled Wednesday that he's prepared to support easing travel restrictions along the Canada-U.S. border sooner rather than later — although the feeling may not be mutual, given the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. Canada is "doing well" in its efforts to control the spread of the virus, Trump said during his daily media briefing at the White House. In the same breath, however, the president — who makes no secret of his urgent desire to see the American economy come roaring back to life — seemed to equate Canada's success with efforts in the U.S., a comparison sure to raise eyebrows north of the border. "Our relationship with Canada is very good — we’ll talk about that. It will be one of the early borders to be released," the president said. "Canada’s doing well, we’re doing well — so we’ll see." The two countries negotiated a mutual ban on non-essential travel in both directions in mid-March, an agreement that explicitly exempted the flow of trade and commerce, as well as vital health care workers like nurses who live and work on opposite sides of the border.
That agreement is currently due to expire early next week. Other travel restrictions, such as a U.S. ban on foreign nationals arriving from a long list of European countries, are likely to remain in place a while longer, Trump said. "We have a lot of nations that are heavily infected — some are getting better, (but) some are still on the way up, unfortunately. We’re keeping very strong borders with those nations," he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "But with Canada, we are talking about different things."
If indeed the U.S. is anxious to lift the restrictions, the dramatic imbalance in the outbreak's severity in the two countries — the U.S. has more than 560,000 active cases, the most in the world, while Canada's caseload is just over 18,000 — could put the federal government in an awkward position. Restrictions at Canada-U.S. border could soon be eased, Trump suggests Earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear that efforts to control the spread of the virus in Canada are likely to remain in place for several more weeks. And on Tuesday, the government tightened its self-isolation requirements for those arriving from outside the country's borders, making an extended hotel stay mandatory for anyone without a suitable quarantine plan. Widespread testing and the ability to rapidly track down the contacts of infected people will be key to an eventual return to normal activities, Trudeau said. "We have to be through this first wave sufficiently to be able to know we have the capacity to stamp out and restrict any future outbreaks as they come along," he said. "That means technology, that means better testing capacity, that means continued vigilance — not just by governments but by all Canadians.... We're still a number of weeks away from that."


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--COVID-19 outbreak in Alberta oilsands camp

Alberta has reached almost 2,000 cases of COVID-19 and is now dealing with an outbreak at an oilsands facility .
Dr. Deena Hinshaw , the province 's chief medical officer of health , said three workers have tested positive at the Kearl operation north of Fort McMurray .
Six others have been tested and are isolating .
The facility is jointly owned by Imperial and ExxonMobil Canada .
Imperial confirmed that one its employees at the Kearl project has tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` The employee reported symptoms last week and was immediately isolated at the camp , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' a company spokesman said in an email .
Imperial said over the past several weeks a very small number employees have tested positive during days away from the site and have isolated themselves .
It said additional testing is underway .
Imperial said it has a team in place managing the situation and has bolstered cleaning and sterilization practices .
Employees are being screened at flight centres , on daily bus trips and at the site , including having their temperatures monitored .
The company said it has taken steps to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work site .
Wednesday marked six weeks since the first case of the novel coronavirus was reported in Alberta .
It was also the first time since March 28 that Hinshaw was able to announce no new fatalities .
Hinshaw said there have been 126 new cases , bringing the total to 1,996 .
The province 's death toll remained at 48 .
Thirty of the 48 deaths were of residents at six different care facilities in Edmonton , Calgary and northern Alberta .
There have been 21 deaths alone at Calgary 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported at 22 care centres and strict prevention measures are in place .
No visitors are allowed except for under extreme circumstances .
Staff must wear masks and can not work at more than one facility .
The number of hospitalizations has held steady for the last two weeks , with between 39 and 48 patients at any given time and the number of those in intensive care units hovering in the mid-teens .
Hinshaw , asked about the trend , said the numbers can be misleading given the daily fluctuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short period and others much longer .
She said she expects to have more detailed analysis on the hospitalization numbers later in the week .
`` Stable ( trending ) is good .
It 's better than rising , '' she said .
`` But what we 'd like to see are those trends decreasing , and so far we 're not quite seeing that yet . ''
Last week , Alberta presented early projections for the virus , with case counts peaking in mid-May should Albertans continue to follow physical distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to see two to three weeks of declines in case counts before she would consider recommending Kenney take steps to reopen the economy or relax rules against large gatherings .
Also Wednesday , Kenney announced his government will spend an extra $ 53 million to help people dealing with mental and emotional stress tied to the pandemic .
Kenney said the money will expand online , phone and direct support for those seeking help .
`` Our message to Albertans today , especially to those feeling psychologically or emotionally overwhelmed , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenney .
`` The impact is real and it must be met head on . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15 , 2020

Alberta has reached almost 2,000 cases of COVID-19 and is now dealing with an outbreak at an oilsands facility. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, said three workers have tested positive at the Kearl operation north of Fort McMurray. Six others have been tested and are isolating. The facility is jointly owned by Imperial and ExxonMobil Canada. Hinshaw told a news conference Wednesday that health officials are working with the operators to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading at the work camp. "These procedures include appropriate cleaning and infection prevention," she said.
"This includes a focus on physical distancing, isolating any employee who has COVID-19 symptoms and limiting gatherings as required." Hinshaw and Premier Jason Kenney said they are working to keep employees safe the best they can while allowing the operation to continue given it is an essential service. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "We have been focused on this since the pandemic began, working with major oilsands producers and other operators of critical infrastructure ... seeing if they need particular assistance with potential quarantine of workers or (personal protective equipment)," said Kenney.
Imperial confirmed that one its employees at the Kearl project has tested positive for COVID-19. Almost 2,000 total Alberta COVID-19 cases, including outbreak at oilsands camp "The employee reported symptoms last week and was immediately isolated at the camp, in accordance with Alberta Health Services guidelines," a company spokesman said in an email. Imperial said over the past several weeks a very small number employees have tested positive during days away from the site and have isolated themselves. It said additional testing is underway. Imperial said it has a team in place managing the situation and has bolstered cleaning and sterilization practices. Employees are being screened at flight centres, on daily bus trips and at the site, including having their temperatures monitored. The company said it has taken steps to ensure social distancing at camp and on the work site.
Wednesday marked six weeks since the first case of the novel coronavirus was reported in Alberta. It was also the first time since March 28 that Hinshaw was able to announce no new fatalities. Hinshaw said there have been 126 new cases, bringing the total to 1,996. The province's death toll remained at 48. Thirty of the 48 deaths were of residents at six different care facilities in Edmonton, Calgary and northern Alberta. There have been 21 deaths alone at Calgary's McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre.


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--COVID-19 will bring challenges for Canada's food system: Bibeau

Higher prices and less variety on store shelves is a possibility as the agriculture industry confronts a wide range of challenges created by COVID-19 , the federal agriculture minister said Wednesday .
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said she 's confident the country has enough food and stopped short of suggesting Canadians start growing war-era `` victory gardens '' to supplement their own supplies .
But everything from a potential labour shortage on farms to COVID-19 outbreaks among workers at food processing plants will have an impact , she said .
`` I think our system is strong enough and resilient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these days it is particularly challenging , '' Bibeau said during a video news conference Wednesday , where she fielded questions from her home in Sherbrooke , Que .
`` I do not worry that we will not have enough food , '' she added .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs `` But we might see some differences in the variety and , hopefully not , but maybe in the prices as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions in new spending for farmers this week alone , including $ 20 million for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency so it can have enough inspectors on hand to carry out its work .
The funds are partially designed to guard against the potential for CFIA inspectors to be stricken with the virus and be unable to work , further slowing down an already struggling supply chain .
The other labour issue facing the industry is a farm worker shortage .
Some 60,000 temporary foreign workers come to Canada annually to work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean fewer are expected this year .
They are also required to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival , and this week , the federal government announced $ 1,500 per worker to help employers cover salary payments or revamp living quarters to ensure workers can abide by distancing protocols .
Checks on those measures will be carried out by local , provincial and federal authorities , Bibeau said .
Bibeau says Canada has enough food but COVID-19 will still bring challenges Workers ' rights group Justicia for Migrant Workers has raised concerns the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — not their employers — to comply .
They cite a video being produced by the Ontario Provincial Police telling workers in Spanish what their obligations are , and say there are already efforts by communities to `` name and shame '' migrant labourers .
`` We find it disconcerting that local community members are so concerned about migrant workers ' social distancing while in public , yet do not share the same concerns regarding the lack of protections and accommodations provided by the employer to ensure that migrant farm workers are able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , '' they said in a statement Wednesday .
The arrival of temporary foreign workers is being stymied by global travel restrictions , and what 's ordinarily an annual shortage of several thousand workers is likely to be made worse , Bibeau said .
The government is examining efforts to get unemployed or under-employed Canadians into jobs on farms , she said .
That 's despite the fact that the very reason the temporary foreign worker program exists is due to Canadians not wanting those jobs — and farmers do n't necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work can require extensive training .
Many workers return to the same area every year because they 've developed a specific skill set .
`` It 's a challenge , but we have to do even more to encourage them to join the industry , '' Bibeau said of the workers the government hopes to recruit .
Another issue facing the sector is outbreaks in processing plants .
An Olymel pork processing plant northeast of Montreal reopened this week after the spread of illness among its workers forced a two-week shutdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calgary , which represents more than one-third of Canada 's beef-processing capacity , announced this week it is idling its second shift of workers .
The union representing those staff said there have been 38 cases of COVID-19 at the plant in High River , Alta .
Bibeau said she is reviewing a pitch by the cattle industry to help weather the crisis .
The Canadian Cattlemen 's Association wants a federally co-ordinated `` set-aside '' program that would enable producers to keep their animals longer .
The program would slow down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing capacity , the group has said .
The Conservatives called Wednesday for Bibeau to immediately implement that program and be far more transparent about what else the government is examining .
`` Farmers , producers and processors work hard day and night to ensure that Canadians have the food they need while they stay home , '' three Conservative MPs who work on agriculture issues — John Barlow , Richard Lehoux and Lianne Rood — wrote in a letter to Bibeau .
`` These hard-working Canadians need to know that their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they can continue to produce world class products . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15 , 2020 .

Higher prices and less variety on store shelves is a possibility as the agriculture industry confronts a wide range of challenges created by COVID-19, the federal agriculture minister said Wednesday. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said she's confident the country has enough food and stopped short of suggesting Canadians start growing war-era "victory gardens" to supplement their own supplies. But everything from a potential labour shortage on farms to COVID-19 outbreaks among workers at food processing plants will have an impact, she said. "I think our system is strong enough and resilient enough that it will adapt, but these days it is particularly challenging," Bibeau said during a video news conference Wednesday, where she fielded questions from her home in Sherbrooke, Que. "I do not worry that we will not have enough food," she added.
"But we might see some differences in the variety and, hopefully not, but maybe in the prices as well." The federal government has announced millions in new spending for farmers this week alone, including $20 million for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency so it can have enough inspectors on hand to carry out its work. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The funds are partially designed to guard against the potential for CFIA inspectors to be stricken with the virus and be unable to work, further slowing down an already struggling supply chain.
The other labour issue facing the industry is a farm worker shortage. Some 60,000 temporary foreign workers come to Canada annually to work on farms and in plants but border closures mean fewer are expected this year. Bibeau says Canada has enough food but COVID-19 will still bring challenges They are also required to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival, and this week, the federal government announced $1,500 per worker to help employers cover salary payments or revamp living quarters to ensure workers can abide by distancing protocols. Checks on those measures will be carried out by local, provincial and federal authorities, Bibeau said. Workers' rights group Justicia for Migrant Workers has raised concerns the onus is actually being placed on workers — not their employers — to comply. They cite a video being produced by the Ontario Provincial Police telling workers in Spanish what their obligations are, and say there are already efforts by communities to "name and shame" migrant labourers.
"We find it disconcerting that local community members are so concerned about migrant workers' social distancing while in public, yet do not share the same concerns regarding the lack of protections and accommodations provided by the employer to ensure that migrant farm workers are able to socially distance in their workplace and home," they said in a statement Wednesday. The arrival of temporary foreign workers is being stymied by global travel restrictions, and what's ordinarily an annual shortage of several thousand workers is likely to be made worse, Bibeau said. The government is examining efforts to get unemployed or under-employed Canadians into jobs on farms, she said.


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--Time to bail out Alberta workers, not billionaire oil company CEOs

Following media reports that the federal government was considering a multibillion-dollar bailout of the oil and gas sector , a broad coalition of faith , labour and environmental groups , representing over 1.3 million Canadians , came together in an open letter to the prime minister calling on his government to change course .
While there was no direct reference to a Big Oil bailout in a COVID-19 relief package that was passed by Parliament , Finance Minister Bill Morneau has clearly signalled that a bailout is still very much in the works .
No one can deny the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the global price for oil .
However , at a time when every corner of the Canadian economy is reeling from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , many people I know are worried about being laid off , or how they are going to make next month ’ s rent or mortgage payment .
It 's more than fair to ask : Should we let a group of billionaire oilpatch CEOs skip to the head of the line for government support ?
It is also undeniable that laid-off workers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As do workers in many other sectors of the economy that are facing sudden and unprecedented disruption .
However , it is becoming clearer and clearer that the most effective way to support workers and their families is not by giving their former employers government handouts , but by supporting workers directly .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding Well before COVID-19 , the Trudeau government committed to a Just Transition Act based on the understanding that workers are in need of protection as the world moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current crisis in the oilpatch is not caused by a lack of pipelines , or Canada ’ s environmental laws , as some would have you believe .
The problem is much more serious — simply put , the oilsands are not economically viable in a world where OPEC is not artificially propping up the global price for oil .
Since it was founded , the primary role of OPEC was to limit the global supply of oil , so member states could get the best possible price for their exports .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new strategy : defending their market share .

Following media reports that the federal government was considering a multibillion-dollar bailout of the oil and gas sector, a broad coalition of faith, labour and environmental groups, representing over 1.3 million Canadians, came together in an open letter to the prime minister calling on his government to change course. While there was no direct reference to a Big Oil bailout in a COVID-19 relief package that was passed by Parliament, Finance Minister Bill Morneau has clearly signalled that a bailout is still very much in the works. No one can deny the industry is facing difficult times with the collapse of the global price for oil. However, at a time when every corner of the Canadian economy is reeling from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people I know are worried about being laid off, or how they are going to make next month’s rent or mortgage payment. It's more than fair to ask: Should we let a group of billionaire oilpatch CEOs skip to the head of the line for government support? It is also undeniable that laid-off workers from the oilpatch need support right now. As do workers in many other sectors of the economy that are facing sudden and unprecedented disruption. However, it is becoming clearer and clearer that the most effective way to support workers and their families is not by giving their former employers government handouts, but by supporting workers directly.
Well before COVID-19, the Trudeau government committed to a Just Transition Act based on the understanding that workers are in need of protection as the world moves away from fossil fuel extraction. The current crisis in the oilpatch is not caused by a lack of pipelines, or Canada’s environmental laws, as some would have you believe. The problem is much more serious — simply put, the oilsands are not economically viable in a world where OPEC is not artificially propping up the global price for oil. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Since it was founded, the primary role of OPEC was to limit the global supply of oil, so member states could get the best possible price for their exports. But since 2014, they have pursued a new strategy: defending their market share.


nationalobserver--2020-04-16--Keeping our moral compass through the COVID-19 pandemic

Not long ago , former U.S. president Barack Obama declared that to win the global struggle for basic freedoms “ we must keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction.
” As we now face what UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls the worst global crisis since the Second World War , where do we point our moral compass during the COVID-19 pandemic ?
Knee-jerk responses are often narrowly utilitarian .
When U.S. President Donald Trump declared “ we can ’ t have the cure be worse than the problem , ” he was implying that the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of preventing a few deaths .
Or when Dominic Cummings , Britain ’ s chief adviser to the prime minister , apparently advocated in favour of “ herd immunity ” in order to protect the economy , even if “ some pensioners die , ” he , too , was applying a narrow utilitarian lens that says our moral priority must be to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number , even if lives are lost in the process .
Both Trump and Cummings , who tested positive for COVID-19 , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) or denied ( in Cummings ’ case ) that they ever made such claims .
While a narrowly utilitarian calculus often does drive decision-making in western society , too often , the results become unpalatable .
The example of auto company Ford ’ s Pinto is the classic business case that shows the limits of utilitarian , cost-benefit frameworks : Ford , broadly disgraced , allowed the car to remain on the market when the financial benefits of endangering lives by doing nothing were favoured by executives over the costs of safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel system .
A different approach to decision-making emerges from the work of social justice theorist John Rawls .
Rather than discriminating amongst citizens based on the calculative value of their earning power , Rawls invites us instead to make our moral choices objectively behind a “ veil of ignorance , ” where rich and poor are treated in the same way .
Rawls ’ social contract demands that the worst off in society must have an equal opportunity to prosper .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs Along Rawlsian lines , there is a growing awareness that the moral thing to do during this global pandemic is not to sacrifice a few for the greater good , but to protect everyone , particularly our most vulnerable and our weakest .
Guterres himself writes that the virus will “ move swiftly into the global south , where health systems face constraints , people are more vulnerable , and millions live in densely populated slums or crowded settlements for refugees and internally displaced persons.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ in our interconnected world , we are only as strong as the weakest health system.
” We are obligated then to make policy decisions in light of such awareness .
That said , attitudes may shift during this pandemic .
There is a good chance that leaders will return to utilitarian calculations when they begin to assess how to restart the economy , especially if economic health is framed as an important element of public health and well-being .
And far-right libertarians may well continue to argue that legally requiring physical distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power of the state .
In such moments , though , let us acknowledge that in the case of public health , private rights simply do not trump the common good .
And people 's lives and well-being should never be reduced exclusively to the parameters of a cost-benefit analysis .
Certainly , whether you are a libertarian or a utilitarian , an eco-feminist supporting an ethic of care , or a virtue ethicist advocating that we each be virtuous citizens , the coronavirus moral compass can be informed by many narratives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I am sure everyone misses being close to family and friends .
I personally find it painful to have not hugged my children or grandchildren for weeks .
But I realize that , on so many levels , keeping the distance is the right thing to do .
No matter what moral calculus we employ , perhaps what we need most today is an ethic of hope .
Phenomenologist Gabriel Marcel recognized that hope is not simply optimism .
It is not simply a state of affairs where we hope for something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or a readily available vaccine .
As wonderful as these moments may be , we may be waiting for them for a while .
In the meantime , an ethic of hope means that we continue to look forward and flourish creatively in what Marcel called a situation of “ active patience ” that springs “ from humility and not from pride.
” Most importantly , in Marcel ’ s words , “ there can be no hope that does not constitute itself through a 'we ' and for a 'we ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all hope is at the bottom choral.
” `` In such moments , though , let us acknowledge that in the case of public health , private rights simply do not trump the common good . ''
All of which is to say : As we wait patiently for the resolution of this pandemic , let us focus outwards .
Let us remember that each life matters .
At the same time , let us discover communal meaning in innovative ways , never despairing that a new day will come and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both an individual and collective level , “ every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before .
”

Not long ago, former U.S. president Barack Obama declared that to win the global struggle for basic freedoms “we must keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction.” As we now face what UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls the worst global crisis since the Second World War, where do we point our moral compass during the COVID-19 pandemic? Knee-jerk responses are often narrowly utilitarian. When U.S. President Donald Trump declared “we can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” he was implying that the economic costs of self-isolation may outweigh the benefits of preventing a few deaths. Or when Dominic Cummings, Britain’s chief adviser to the prime minister, apparently advocated in favour of “herd immunity” in order to protect the economy, even if “some pensioners die,” he, too, was applying a narrow utilitarian lens that says our moral priority must be to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number, even if lives are lost in the process. Both Trump and Cummings, who tested positive for COVID-19, have backtracked (in Trump’s case) or denied (in Cummings’ case) that they ever made such claims. While a narrowly utilitarian calculus often does drive decision-making in western society, too often, the results become unpalatable. The example of auto company Ford’s Pinto is the classic business case that shows the limits of utilitarian, cost-benefit frameworks: Ford, broadly disgraced, allowed the car to remain on the market when the financial benefits of endangering lives by doing nothing were favoured by executives over the costs of safety improvements to the car’s defective fuel system. A different approach to decision-making emerges from the work of social justice theorist John Rawls. Rather than discriminating amongst citizens based on the calculative value of their earning power, Rawls invites us instead to make our moral choices objectively behind a “veil of ignorance,” where rich and poor are treated in the same way. Rawls’ social contract demands that the worst off in society must have an equal opportunity to prosper.
Along Rawlsian lines, there is a growing awareness that the moral thing to do during this global pandemic is not to sacrifice a few for the greater good, but to protect everyone, particularly our most vulnerable and our weakest. Guterres himself writes that the virus will “move swiftly into the global south, where health systems face constraints, people are more vulnerable, and millions live in densely populated slums or crowded settlements for refugees and internally displaced persons.” Rawls would have agreed with Guterres that “in our interconnected world, we are only as strong as the weakest health system.” We are obligated then to make policy decisions in light of such awareness. That said, attitudes may shift during this pandemic. There is a good chance that leaders will return to utilitarian calculations when they begin to assess how to restart the economy, especially if economic health is framed as an important element of public health and well-being. And far-right libertarians may well continue to argue that legally requiring physical distancing remains an unacceptable moral expansion of the power of the state. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In such moments, though, let us acknowledge that in the case of public health, private rights simply do not trump the common good. And people's lives and well-being should never be reduced exclusively to the parameters of a cost-benefit analysis.


nationalobserver--2020-04-15--Carbon pollution in B.C. climbed in 2018, ministry calls it 'unfortunate' but dated

British Columbia ’ s carbon pollution grew by three million tonnes in 2018 compared to the year prior , according to newly released figures , a situation the provincial government 's environment ministry is calling `` unfortunate , '' but also dated .
The federal government ’ s latest United Nations climate change report , which covers data up to two years ago , also shows that more oil and gas production , and more fuel burned by vehicles and for heating , pushed Canada 's overall carbon pollution higher .
The newest edition of Canada ’ s National Inventory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's carbon emissions grew to 66 million tonnes , or megatonnes ( Mt ) in 2018 compared to 63 Mt in 2017 .
Other provinces also saw significant increases during this period : Ontario ’ s carbon pollution climbed from 155 Mt to 165 Mt , while Quebec ’ s grew from 80 Mt to 83 Mt .
The rest of Canada 's provinces and territories stayed the same or had minor fluctuations of one Mt or less .
B.C .
has committed to cutting pollution 40 per cent below 2007 levels by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CleanBC plan was announced in December 2018 .
As a result , a government spokesperson argued that the numbers did n't reflect the current reality .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs `` While it is unfortunate to see an increase in this year ’ s national inventory , the data does not capture the actions included in B.C.
’ s climate plan , '' the spokesperson from B.C .
's Ministry of Environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement to National Observer .
`` We are fully committed to strong climate action , accountability and a clean economy for everyone through CleanBC , '' continued the ministry spokesperson , pointing to the province 's climate change accountability framework that commits to reporting on progress in meeting environmental targets , as well as B.C .
's climate advisory council .
A breakdown of carbon pollution from different sectors in Canada in 2018 .
Canada 's National Inventory Report screenshot The inventory report shows that the oilsands , a region in Alberta and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven oil reserves , was responsible for 84 Mt .
Emissions from the oilsands , which are deposits of a heavy , tar-like oil beneath the Western Canadian boreal forest , have grown every year since 2013 .
Oilsands emissions continued to grow because crude oil production continued to climb through 2018 .
From 1990 to 2018 , crude oil production shot up by 170 per cent , almost entirely driven by oilsands operations , according to the report .
“ While our most urgent priority at this time must clearly be COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change presents a threat to our economic and physical well-being '' said @ JonathanWNV .
Alberta ’ s emissions have grown by 41 Mt , or 18 per cent , since 2005 , “ primarily as a result of the expansion of oil and gas operations , ” the report stated .
Canada has the world 's third-largest proven oil reserves after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia .
Canada ’ s oil and gas sector was responsible for the largest portion of the country 's carbon pollution in 2018 , at 193 Mt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five Mt from 2017 .
Overall , Canada emitted a total of 729 Mt of carbon pollution in 2018 , up 15 Mt from 2017 .
This is almost the same amount of pollution as Canada emitted in 2005 , at 730 Mt .
The year 2005 is the baseline year for Canada ’ s Paris Agreement commitment , which promises to cut emissions 30 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 .
Canadian government scientists have concluded that the country and the rest of the world must reduce its carbon pollution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to avoid the more extreme effects of climate change , ranging from floods to wildfires , loss of fresh water and damage to coasts and ecosystems .
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson argued Wednesday that because the inventory report contained data up to 2018 , it “ does not fully reflect the emissions reductions impact of the federal price on pollution and the impact of many other key initiatives in the current climate plan.
” Wilkinson said he expected the carbon pricing system , which came into effect in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as other programs like phasing out coal power and tightening building efficiency standards will “ have a bigger and bigger impact every year.
” `` Based on our current climate plan , plus new initiatives we plan to undertake , our government is confident that we will meet and exceed our 2030 target , ” said Wilkinson in a statement to National Observer .
Less coal burned for electricity is having an impact The Liberals have promised to “ exceed ” the 2030 Paris target and have also said they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ net zero ” by 2050 , meaning any pollution emitted would be cancelled out by other initiatives that pull emissions out of the atmosphere .
The inventory report said Canada ’ s 15 Mt increase from 2017 to 2018 was due to the combined effect of factors such as higher production levels of oil and gas , more fossil fuels used in industry , more emissions from heating due to a colder winter , and more fuel consumed by vehicles .
Most of Canada ’ s transport emissions are from cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as opposed to trains or domestic aviation .
Road transportation climbed six Mt from 2017 to 2018 , to 154 Mt .
The report says the increase in road transport emissions in 2018 was because Canadians were driving more , there was more diesel available , gasoline sales rose at the pumps , and there were more trucks on the road .
But Canada ’ s pollution in 2018 would have been even higher , it said , if not for a drop of six megatonnes due to less coal being burned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power in Canada began almost two decades ago when Ontario , under a provincial Liberal government , began a plan to close its coal plants , the first coal-reliant North American jurisdiction to do so .
Alberta also has a phase-out plan and the Trudeau government has committed to phasing out coal power nationwide by 2030 .
Wednesday ’ s report shows how electricity generation from coal was cut in half from 2005 to 2018 and was a large factor in the 55 Mt drop in emissions associated with electricity and heat production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped in Alberta , Nova Scotia , New Brunswick , Manitoba and Saskatchewan .

British Columbia’s carbon pollution grew by three million tonnes in 2018 compared to the year prior, according to newly released figures, a situation the provincial government's environment ministry is calling "unfortunate," but also dated. The federal government’s latest United Nations climate change report, which covers data up to two years ago, also shows that more oil and gas production, and more fuel burned by vehicles and for heating, pushed Canada's overall carbon pollution higher. The newest edition of Canada’s National Inventory Report released Wednesday says that B.C.'s carbon emissions grew to 66 million tonnes, or megatonnes (Mt) in 2018 compared to 63 Mt in 2017. Other provinces also saw significant increases during this period: Ontario’s carbon pollution climbed from 155 Mt to 165 Mt, while Quebec’s grew from 80 Mt to 83 Mt. The rest of Canada's provinces and territories stayed the same or had minor fluctuations of one Mt or less. B.C. has committed to cutting pollution 40 per cent below 2007 levels by 2030 and the B.C. government's CleanBC plan was announced in December 2018. As a result, a government spokesperson argued that the numbers didn't reflect the current reality.
"While it is unfortunate to see an increase in this year’s national inventory, the data does not capture the actions included in B.C.’s climate plan," the spokesperson from B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy said in a statement to National Observer. "We are fully committed to strong climate action, accountability and a clean economy for everyone through CleanBC," continued the ministry spokesperson, pointing to the province's climate change accountability framework that commits to reporting on progress in meeting environmental targets, as well as B.C.'s climate advisory council. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions A breakdown of carbon pollution from different sectors in Canada in 2018. Canada's National Inventory Report screenshot
Canada's carbon pollution up 15 million tonnes The inventory report shows that the oilsands, a region in Alberta and Saskatchewan that represents 166 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, was responsible for 84 Mt. Emissions from the oilsands, which are deposits of a heavy, tar-like oil beneath the Western Canadian boreal forest, have grown every year since 2013. “While our most urgent priority at this time must clearly be COVID-19, it remains the case that climate change presents a threat to our economic and physical well-being" said @JonathanWNV. Oilsands emissions continued to grow because crude oil production continued to climb through 2018. From 1990 to 2018, crude oil production shot up by 170 per cent, almost entirely driven by oilsands operations, according to the report. Alberta’s emissions have grown by 41 Mt, or 18 per cent, since 2005, “primarily as a result of the expansion of oil and gas operations,” the report stated. Canada has the world's third-largest proven oil reserves after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. Canada’s oil and gas sector was responsible for the largest portion of the country's carbon pollution in 2018, at 193 Mt, or 26 per cent, up by five Mt from 2017. Overall, Canada emitted a total of 729 Mt of carbon pollution in 2018, up 15 Mt from 2017. This is almost the same amount of pollution as Canada emitted in 2005, at 730 Mt. The year 2005 is the baseline year for Canada’s Paris Agreement commitment, which promises to cut emissions 30 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.
Canadian government scientists have concluded that the country and the rest of the world must reduce its carbon pollution to "near zero" by 2050 in order to avoid the more extreme effects of climate change, ranging from floods to wildfires, loss of fresh water and damage to coasts and ecosystems. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson argued Wednesday that because the inventory report contained data up to 2018, it “does not fully reflect the emissions reductions impact of the federal price on pollution and the impact of many other key initiatives in the current climate plan.” Wilkinson said he expected the carbon pricing system, which came into effect in 2019 for provinces without their own systems, as well as other programs like phasing out coal power and tightening building efficiency standards will “have a bigger and bigger impact every year.”


nationalobserver--2020-04-15--Ford's long-term care plan for COVID-19 has serious 'loopholes,' NDP says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford rolled out an action plan for containing the rapid spread of COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes Wednesday , weeks after their residents started dying .
Ford pledged to deploy “ COVID-19 SWAT teams ” of hospital workers and infectious disease experts , and to ramp up testing for the coronavirus in long-term care homes where the deadly virus has spread like wildfire .
But the premier also pushed back against criticism that his government had been slow to act .
`` My heart breaks for these people , '' Ford said .
`` We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the get-go . ''
Central to the premier 's plans for long-term care is a new emergency order enacted Tuesday night to bar employees , who often work part-time hours at multiple facilities to make ends meet , from working at more than one site during the pandemic .
The move is meant to stop COVID-19 spreading between homes , and applies to support staff as well as medical workers .
But the order itself has several loopholes , not taking effect until April 22 and exempting staff from temp agencies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long-term care workforce .
It also ends after two weeks .
• Trudeau , G7 leaders confront Trump over cuts to WHO funding • Time to bail out Alberta workers , not billionaire oil company CEOs “ Restrictions much tighter than these should have been put in place weeks ago , ” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath , who called for stricter measures .
“ We can not waste a second now . ''
British Columbia made a similar order weeks ago .
In response to questions about whether Ontario could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken Wednesday 's actions sooner , Ontario chief medical officer Dr. David Williams said he did n't have `` evidence '' to show the delay had caused more deaths .
The Progressive Conservative government 's plan included enhanced testing .
It will now screen all symptomatic staff and residents , and asymptomatic close contacts of people with COVID-19 .
Though asymptomatic in `` select homes '' will also be tested , the government will not begin testing every single resident and employee .
Facilities that need personal protective equipment for workers will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although Ford previously said the plan would include wage top-ups for workers whose hours would be cut by the change , he said Wednesday that the measure would be worked out with the federal government .
`` The government encourages long-term care employers to offer full-time hours to their part-time employees during the COVID-19 outbreak , '' the province said in a press release .
“ Restrictions much tighter than these should have been put in place weeks ago , ” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath , who called for stricter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second now . ''
Ford and Long-term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton did n't give details on how many `` SWAT teams '' would be created , and how many facilities they would service .
There have been 145 COVID-19 deaths in the province 's long-term care facilities , Williams said Wednesday .
And seniors are particularly vulnerable to the virus — about 40 per cent of cases in the province are people aged 60 and older .
The Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon , Ont.
, reported its first two deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue of COVID-19 in long-term care homes into public consciousness .
Nearly half of the facility 's residents have died .
Since then , the virus has ravaged more facilities , with over 100 in the province reporting outbreaks .
Critics have sounded the alarm over long-term care in Ontario for years , with medical workers ’ associations and unions calling for fixes to chronic understaffing issues in long-term care homes .
The problem hit the spotlight in 2019 , after of an inquiry prompted by the case of serial killer Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was convicted of murdering eight elderly patients .
Fullerton said the government was aware of the problem and had been working on it : `` Unfortunately , a pandemic has arrived . ''
In a statement Wednesday , the Ontario Nurses ' Association ( ONA ) said the conditions nurses in such facilities are working under are `` unfathomable . ''
Horwath has previously said long-term care in the province was a `` disaster waiting to happen , '' and had been underfunded for a decade .
On Wednesday , CBC News reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of annual , unscheduled inspections of nursing homes last year .
( The province continued conducting investigations done after complaints , but in those cases , the facility knows an inspector is coming . )
Annual inspections have uncovered issues with neglect , sanitation and abuse inside homes , CBC reported .
Fullerton said the move was meant to ensure high-risk homes got focused attention , and that long-term care homes worldwide had struggled with COVID-19 .
When asked if he thought the entire system in Ontario should be overhauled Wednesday , Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to . ''
The premier also left open the possibility of an inquiry into his government 's handling of the crisis .
Laura Wenzel , right , and her mother Genie Wenzel-Bill ( also known as Aggie ) inside a care facility in Vegreville , Alta .
Wenzel said she worried her mother , who has dementia , would feel abandoned inside long-term care because visitors are barred from coming in during COVID-19 .
Photo courtesy Laura Wenzel 'COVID-19 is the cherry on top .
Things were bad before . '
Across Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by COVID-19 .
At one home in Montreal , 31 residents died and staff left their posts as more fell ill from an outbreak of the virus .
And 18 have died at the McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre in Calgary .
It 's a terrifying time to have a family member in long-term care , said Laura Wenzel , 57 .
Her 86-year-old mother has been in a home in Vegreville , Alta.
, about an hour 's drive from Edmonton , for about a decade .
Wenzel 's mother has dementia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who had been visiting Vegreville when the pandemic hit , has n't been able to see her since March 27 , when the home stopped allowing visitors into long-term care to avoid spreading COVID-19 .
Phone calls or waving through windows are n't possible due to her mother 's health conditions , Wenzel said .
`` I was worried she would feel like I had abandoned her because I couldn ’ t say goodbye , '' she said .
“ Thankfully , she didn ’ t have a feeling of being abandoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was anyway . ''
Though there has n't been an outbreak at her mother 's home yet , Wenzel said she 's fearful it could happen soon , as many staff at the home come from Edmonton , which has been hit harder by the pandemic than Vegreville .
Others work at multiple care facilities .
She 's also worried about a lack of communication from the managers of the already-understaffed facility , but said she has few options in the small Alberta town .
`` My hands are tied , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cherry on top .
Things were bad before . ''
Wenzel said she hopes the pandemic shows governments the danger of privately run care homes , also a feature of Ontario 's system .
Businesses can service patients or their shareholders , but they ca n't do both , she added .
`` What do you want for yourself when you ’ re that age ? ''
she said .
`` Is this the system you want ? ''
Editor 's Note : This story was updated at 11:12 a.m. to correct a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegreville long-term care facility stopped accepting visitors .

Ontario Premier Doug Ford rolled out an action plan for containing the rapid spread of COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes Wednesday, weeks after their residents started dying. Ford pledged to deploy “COVID-19 SWAT teams” of hospital workers and infectious disease experts, and to ramp up testing for the coronavirus in long-term care homes where the deadly virus has spread like wildfire. But the premier also pushed back against criticism that his government had been slow to act. "My heart breaks for these people," Ford said. "We’ve done quite a bit, right from the get-go." Central to the premier's plans for long-term care is a new emergency order enacted Tuesday night to bar employees, who often work part-time hours at multiple facilities to make ends meet, from working at more than one site during the pandemic. The move is meant to stop COVID-19 spreading between homes, and applies to support staff as well as medical workers. But the order itself has several loopholes, not taking effect until April 22 and exempting staff from temp agencies, who make up a significant portion of the long-term care workforce. It also ends after two weeks.
“Restrictions much tighter than these should have been put in place weeks ago,” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, who called for stricter measures. “We cannot waste a second now." British Columbia made a similar order weeks ago. In response to questions about whether Ontario could have saved more lives if it had taken Wednesday's actions sooner, Ontario chief medical officer Dr. David Williams said he didn't have "evidence" to show the delay had caused more deaths. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Progressive Conservative government's plan included enhanced testing. It will now screen all symptomatic staff and residents, and asymptomatic close contacts of people with COVID-19. Though asymptomatic in "select homes" will also be tested, the government will not begin testing every single resident and employee.
Facilities that need personal protective equipment for workers will get it within 24 hours, Ford pledged. “Restrictions much tighter than these should have been put in place weeks ago,” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, who called for stricter measures. “We cannot waste a second now." Although Ford previously said the plan would include wage top-ups for workers whose hours would be cut by the change, he said Wednesday that the measure would be worked out with the federal government. "The government encourages long-term care employers to offer full-time hours to their part-time employees during the COVID-19 outbreak," the province said in a press release. Ford and Long-term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton didn't give details on how many "SWAT teams" would be created, and how many facilities they would service.
Long-term care a 'disaster waiting to happen' There have been 145 COVID-19 deaths in the province's long-term care facilities, Williams said Wednesday. And seniors are particularly vulnerable to the virus — about 40 per cent of cases in the province are people aged 60 and older. The Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon, Ont., reported its first two deaths from the virus on March 26, sweeping the issue of COVID-19 in long-term care homes into public consciousness. Nearly half of the facility's residents have died. Since then, the virus has ravaged more facilities, with over 100 in the province reporting outbreaks.