OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Canada is set to buy 500 Canadian-made ventilators in the next couple of weeks as demand rises during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced Friday the federal government is allocating $2-billion to buy masks and other personal protective equipment to help frontline workers.
“I know that this pandemic has been incredibly challenging for people right across the country, but we’re also seeing the best of what it means to be Canadian,” he said. “From coast to coast to coast, businesses are retooling to produce face shields, ventilators, hand sanitizers, and other supplies our healthcare professionals need.”
To test and treat canadians, 2 billion for PPE, sanitizers, including in bulk purchases with provinces – also test kits — to make sure health care workers have what they need. Expecting shipments in coming days and then get where needed. #bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19
— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 31, 2020
The federal government had already announced plans to mobilize industry to fight COVID-19, whereby companies could reach out to Ottawa to see how they could help with production.
So far, Trudeau said more than 3,000 companies have stepped up to see if they can be of any assistance.
Over the past week @JustinTrudeau says more than 3000 companies have contacted and spoken with the feds about what they can do to help during the pandemic. Mentioning one company that produced panels – no charge – to separate patients in hospitals. #bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19
— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 31, 2020
Contracts signed, shipments expected in weeks
Trudeau said on Friday that contracts had been signed with three Canadian companies for the moment to produce things like ventilators, surgical masks, and test kits.
“We’ve also signed letters of intent with five other companies,” the prime minister said. “We know that the demand for critical equipment and supplies will grow in coming weeks, so we need a sustainable, stable supply of these products. That means making them at home.”
He added supplies are expected to be ready over the next few weeks. They will be allocated based on where they are needed, and Trudeau said cabinet does not make those decisions.
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“It is not politicians who decide how resources are allocated,” he told reporters. “We rely on experts, medical officials, on coordination between medical officials in all different provinces to make the determination on where things are most needed and we follow the direct advice of medical experts in terms of how to ensure everyone everywhere has the equipment they need.”
On why there is an emphasis on producing these supplies domestically, Trudeau said it’s important to ensure the resources needed in Canada will get there when needed.
“The entire world is trying to get its hands on the various equipment needed to fight this virus. That is why we know that it’ll be important to be able to have made-in-Canada solutions.”
