Military aid sought for nursing homes

PM ANNOUNCES $9B IN SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

The Canadian military needs to help in understaffed nursing homes ravaged by COVID-19, the country’s two largest provinces said Wednesday, as signs of a slowing pandemic prompted talk of easing the economically crippling measures put in place to curb the spread.

Both Quebec and Ontario called on the federal government to send in the troops, with Premier Francois Legault asking for 1,000 military personnel. Premier Doug Ford similarly asked for military help in five priority homes in his province.

Coronavirus disease in nursing homes has accounted for a significant proportion of Canada’s 1,974 deaths, with facilities in the two largest provinces hit especially hard.

“We’re in the thick of a raging battle against COVID-19 in our longterm care homes,” Ford said.

Despite the lethal spread of the novel coronavirus in long-term care facilities, some bright spots did emerge.

Ontario, for example, reported 510 new cases or 4.3 per cent more over the previous day — the slowest growth in weeks. Also encouraging was that, for the first time, more than half of infections have been resolved and 20 long-term care homes with outbreaks were now virus-free.

Several other provinces reported no new cases amid talk of how and when to get the country moving again.

Premier Dennis King of Prince Edward Island, which has had just 26 cases and no deaths, said lifting antiCOVID measures could start as early as May 1.

In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe said some businesses could reopen next month under a fivephase plan his government has developed.

“We know there are risks on both sides,” he said in a televised address.

“If we move too quickly, we risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people.”

Moe said more details on what businesses and services will be allowed to reopen will be announced today.

Manitoba said it would release its reopening plan next week.

For her part, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam agreed Canada was slowing the epidemic but warned

against letting down the country’s collective guard. The focus, Tam said, had to be on stopping outbreaks in seniors homes and other places where vulnerable people live in close quarters.

Regardless, the financial fallout of the anti-COVID measures — social isolation and the shutdown of nonessential commercial activities — has been profound. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had already announced more than $100 billion in various forms of assistance, offered more financial supports on Wednesday.

A total of $9 billion would go to students without access to previously announced emergency assistance. Students will receive $1,250 a month from May to August under the program.

“As young people, what you’re going through matters,” Trudeau said. “We want to make sure that you will be OK.”

In addition, the government said it would create 76,000 new summer jobs for young people in sectors that “need an extra hand,” such as agriculture.

The prime minister also pledged unspecified aid for older Canadians whose finances have taken a hit. “There is help coming for seniors,” he said.