Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada marks one year since pandemic began

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Mar, 2021 06:18 PM
  • Canada marks one year since pandemic began

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rose in the House of Commons Thursday, one year after COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, and said March 11, 2020 will always be marked by a before and an after.

Since the pandemic began, 2.5 million people around the world have died due to COVID-19, with more than 22,000 of them in Canada.

"For families and close ones, each death has a before and an after," Trudeau said.

"Since the great wars of the 20th century, there is a sentence we often evoke, and it's a sentence that we can bring back for those that we lost this year during the pandemic: We will remember them."

Trudeau chose to make Thursday a national day of remembrance because it was the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic.

The prime minister evoked the memories of Canadians being asked to stay home and stay safe, of essential workers stocking grocery store shelves and of people cheering health-care workers from their balconies.

"Businesses stepped up and produced (personal protective equipment)," Trudeau said. "Some went from making hockey masks to face shields: It doesn't get any more Canadian than that."

The prime minister briefly touched on the multiple tragedies in long-term care centres, where seniors across the country died in the thousands from the disease, often in circumstances of labour shortages and immense personal hardship.

"For every senior in Canada, we must do better, and I know that we will," he said.

Trudeau ended his speech on a hopeful note, telling Canadian that millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine are on the way, allowing provinces to accelerate their vaccination campaigns. Health Canada has approved four COVID-19 vaccines so far, and 1.5 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated.

Opposition Leader Erin O'Toole spoke after Trudeau, and while he gently criticized the government for its vaccine rollout, he also said the Conservative party wants the vaccination program to do well.

"Like many Canadians we are frustrated by the slower pace of vaccines than elsewhere, but we want the government to succeed for the health and well-being of Canadians so that we can get our lives back to normal."

Other ceremonies will be held across the country Thursday, including in Quebec, which has had the country's most COVID-19-related deaths.

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also shared his thoughts on the 1 year anniversary of the COVID19 pandemic.

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante will make a speech later Thursday and Prime Minister Legault will take part in a ceremony at the legislature in Quebec City.

MORE National ARTICLES

Man who rammed Rideau Hall gate gets six years

Man who rammed Rideau Hall gate gets six years
He will also be prohibited from possessing any firearms, ammunition or explosive substances for life. Hurren had initially faced 21 weapons charges and one of threatening the prime minister.

Man who rammed Rideau Hall gate gets six years

Cabinet minister grilled over quarantine hotels

Cabinet minister grilled over quarantine hotels
Blair told the committee that quarantine measures have been effective and that any allegations should be thoroughly investigated.

Cabinet minister grilled over quarantine hotels

Panorama Ridge Secondary School in Surrey put on “Hold and Secure” yesterday

Panorama Ridge Secondary School in Surrey put on “Hold and Secure” yesterday
Two teenagers had an alleged dispute in a nearby alleyway. No weapon was found but police are still investigating.

Panorama Ridge Secondary School in Surrey put on “Hold and Secure” yesterday

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau
The prime minister made the comments this afternoon in the House of Commons, confirming that then-military ombudsman Gary Walbourne spoke to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about an allegation against Vance in March 2018.

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness and death, but they don't necessarily stop all transmission, so masks and physical distancing remain important.

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits

Police issue $6,900.00 in fines after alleged quarantine breach

Police issue $6,900.00 in fines after alleged quarantine breach
The woman was issued two separate violation tickets; one for the allegations made by PHAC, and one for the breach of quarantine requirements as observed by the officer. Both fines totalled $6,900.00.

Police issue $6,900.00 in fines after alleged quarantine breach