By Chris Brown

Update from the PM

$1.1B for research, trials, testing and modelling for COVID-19

Apr 23, 2020 | 10:34 AM

The country’s scientists and researchers are getting extra help as the fight against COVID-19 rages on in Canada and around the world.

Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau announced $1.1 billion for a national medical and research strategy. The strategy has three pillars said Trudeau.

“Research on vaccines and other treatments, support for clinical trials, and expanding national testing and modelling,” he said Thursday.

The $1.1 billion will be split as follows – $115 million for vaccine and other treatments, $662 million for clinical trials and $350 million for testing and modelling.

Trudeau said the researchers will work on blood testing to track and understand immunity and key questions “like how many people beyond those we’ve already tested have had COVID-19, whether you are immune once you’ve had it.”

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At about 20,000 tests per day, the country’s testing has doubled this month, the prime minister said in his daily address outside Rideau Cottage. Still, he said, “testing must increase even further before we can re-open and re-start our normal activities as a country.”

Trudeau announced the government will create a task force of public health experts. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, and Dr. David Naylor, who has advised Liberal and Conservative governments on health and science issues, are among the members on the task force.

Asked about the outbreaks at meat packing plants in Brooks and High River, the prime minister said food security is a “continued essential priority” for the government. He added they are working with industry partners and agencies to ensure the safety of food supply and conditions at the facilities.

The task force will be asked to oversee country-wide blood test surveys to get a better handle on potential immunity and vulnerabilities in Canada.

Trudeau defended the rollout of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, amid questions about whether everyone should have been given some measure of support.

He said targeted support was necessary to quickly help as many people as possible and the government will continue to work fill gaps.

“We’ve never said we’d be perfect. We can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We had to get money out as quickly possible.”

Trudeau said as some U.S. border states move closer to opening up, that the federal government and the provinces will work together to protect Canadians and on how to re-open their own economies.

“Our decisions will be informed by what is working and perhaps what is not working elsewhere in the world,” he said.

Trudeau later said that “until we have a vaccine we can’t talk about a normal life. We can relax certain measures if appropriate while remaining vigilant.”

On young students working in the agriculture sector, Trudeau said the government will be creating new incentives to direct them to these important industries. I have great confidence in our young people.”

On anti-Asian comments about Dr. Tam and others, Trudeau said “intolerance and racism have no place in our country” and that “millions of Canadians of all different backgrounds are all working together.”