Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau says military is short-term solution to caring for seniors

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Apr, 2020 07:17 PM
  • Trudeau says military is short-term solution to caring for seniors

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised the military will respond to provincial requests for assistance at long-term care facilities hit hard by COVID-19, but says the measure is a short-term solution and Canada should not "have soldiers taking care of seniors." Trudeau appeared visibly upset as he made the comments during his daily news conference on Thursday, one day after Quebec and Ontario formally requested hundreds of soldiers to bolster front-line care workers overwhelmed by outbreaks in dozens of facilities.

Speaking directly to people who work, live or have loved ones in such facilities, Trudeau said: "If you're angry, frustrated, scared, you're right to feel this way. We can do better. We need to do better. Because we are failing our parents, our grandparents, our elders."

The Canadian Armed Forces deployed 130 military personnel last week to help five long-term care facilities in Quebec, and military planners are now assessing what support they can offer in response to the new requests from Ontario and Quebec.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Wednesday that the province is asking for 1,000 more service members. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he has also asked for support for five long-term care homes that have been hit by COVID-19.

"Our women and men in uniform will step up with the valour and courage they have always shown," Trudeau said.

"But this is not a long-term solution. In Canada, we shouldn't have soldiers taking care of seniors. Going forward, in the weeks and months to come, we will all have to ask tough questions about how it came to this."

MORE National ARTICLES

COVID-19 Will Not Be How The Cookie Crumbles For B.C.'s Girl Guides

VANCOUVER - The motto of Canada's Girl Guides is "Be Prepared," so it's understandable that they aren't letting COVID-19 derail their annual springtime cookie sale.    

COVID-19 Will Not Be How The Cookie Crumbles For B.C.'s Girl Guides

Champagne Talks Global Covid-19 Security With G7 Foreign Ministers Over Video

Champagne Talks Global Covid-19 Security With G7 Foreign Ministers Over Video
OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is holding a video meeting with his G7 counterparts today to discuss security issues around the globe related to the COVID-19 crisis.

Champagne Talks Global Covid-19 Security With G7 Foreign Ministers Over Video

Pandemic-Related Supports Coming For Media And Journalism, Trudeau Says

OTTAWA - The federal government is planning to provide financial support to media organizations to keep journalists working and reporting on the COVID-19 crisis.    

Pandemic-Related Supports Coming For Media And Journalism, Trudeau Says

Senate Approves Emergency Bill To Respond To Covid-19 Crisis

Senate Approves Emergency Bill To Respond To Covid-19 Crisis
OTTAWA - An emergency federal bill to inject billions of dollars of aid into the Canadian economy for workers, families and businesses hit hard by COVID-19 has passed the Senate and now awaits royal assent.    

Senate Approves Emergency Bill To Respond To Covid-19 Crisis

Newfoundland Woman Arrested For Refusing To Self Isolate After Talking To Police

Newfoundland Woman Arrested For Refusing To Self Isolate After Talking To Police
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Police in western Newfoundland say a woman arrested for refusing to stay at home after she returned from a trip outside the province is expected to make a court appearance today.

Newfoundland Woman Arrested For Refusing To Self Isolate After Talking To Police

Patients Bumped By COVID Face Anxiety, As Health System Searches For Alternatives

Patients Bumped By COVID Face Anxiety, As Health System Searches For Alternatives
HALIFAX - For Canadians awaiting life-changing operations, the novel coronavirus is creating deepening distress as cancellations and delays roll through the public health system.    

Patients Bumped By COVID Face Anxiety, As Health System Searches For Alternatives