The Federal government is unveiling a new program that will help manufacturing companies shift their lines to medical supplies and other essential COVID-19 supplies.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they will work with auto manufacturing companies to build ventilators, as well as other industry to create face masks and hand sanitizer.
“We know that Canadian companies are among the most innovative and we are confident we will be able to work with them to respond to the growing demand and in a quick manner,” Trudeau told media.
Trudeau notes he has spoken with several businesses about the initiative. The Prime Minister noted they will also provide help for industries already producing supplies so they can increase the number of products they can produce.
The plan focuses on domestic capacity building, innovative solutions, and procurement of essential supplies. It will:
- Build the industrial capability needed to manufacture critical supplies at scale in Canada. This will be done either by re-tooling the manufacturing lines of existing Canadian businesses or rapidly scaling up the production of others that already produce these products.
- Refocus Canada’s existing industrial and innovation programs, by adding to their mandate a requirement that they prioritize the fight against COVID-19. This includes:
- the Strategic Innovation Fund to deliver direct support to Canadian companies for large-scale projects
- National Research Council of Canada to expedite research and development with small and medium-sized enterprises
- Innovation Superclusters to tap into a national network of 1,800 members, and Innovative Solutions Canada to help companies commercialize products more quickly
- Deliver direct support to key Canadian companies that are working on large-scale and later-stage research and development projects aimed, in the immediate term, at producing countermeasures to COVID-19.
- Challenge innovative companies to develop research-based solutions, technologies, and products that can address a variety of COVID-19 issues.
- Source equipment needed to support Canada’s response to COVID-19 here in Canada. The Government of Canada will use existing supply arrangements and innovative, flexible procurement approaches. It is also reaching out to suppliers to identify and purchase equipment, supplies, and services needed for Canada’s response to COVID-19. With a view to longer-term support, the Government of Canada will ensure procurement flexibility to support innovation and build domestic manufacturing capacity to supply critical health supplies to Canadians.
When it comes to the United States and Canada closing the border to non-essential travel, Trudeau said those travellers will not be allowed into Canada.
“People arriving at the US border arriving at the border will be returned to the US authorities and return to America. This will take place as long as COVID-19 continues,” Trudeau noted.
The border is expected to be closed to the general public starting Friday night. The Federal government has reiterated business and their supply lines will not be impacted by the border closure.
