Trudeau rejects mandatory stay-at-home order for now; COVID deaths up
2 hrs ago
© Provided by The Canadian Press
TORONTO
— An already grim employment toll looked set to worsen Thursday
as authorities pondered further tightening restrictions
on people and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep
the pandemic from suffocating the health-care system.
© Provided by The
Canadian Press
Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau said too many Canadians were still going
out needlessly, potentially spreading the coronavirus and putting
health-care workers at unnecessary risk. At the same time,
Trudeau said he was leaning on restrictions provinces have
put in place rather than issuing a mandatory national
stay-home order, which would require him to invoke the
never-before-used Emergencies Act.
© Provided by The
Canadian Press
"We're
not quite yet at that point," Trudeau said.
The
prime minister held a conference call with premiers later Thursday.
A federal official said there was a consensus among first ministers
that Trudeau need not invoke the Emergencies Act now.
The
virus has now officially infected more than 11,000 Canadians and
cost 130 lives.
Ontario
on Thursday reported 16 more deaths bringing its total to 53, while
a hard-hit nursing home in Bobcaygeon — possibly the site of
the worst outbreak in the province — reported two new
fatalities. Sixteen residents have died and at least 24 staff
members at Pinecrest Nursing Home have been infected.
Quebec
saw its caseload rise about 20 per cent since Wednesday, with three
more deaths. COVID-19 has killed at least 36 people in the province
and another 25 in British Columbia. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief
public health officer, said almost half the deaths have occurred
among especially vulnerable residents of long-term care homes.
Manitoba
said more than 40 health-care workers at a Winnipeg hospital had
been sent home after two staff members tested positive.
Experts
say keeping a physical distance from others, along with frequent
hand washing, is the most effective way of curbing the pandemic.
Governments
everywhere have shut non-essential businesses and public facilities
such as parks, beaches and playgrounds. All have repeatedly urged
people to stay home except for essential outings.
Police
in several jurisdictions have already arrested or fined alleged
quarantine scofflaws or people disobeying limits on gatherings.
Leaders warned Thursday of more to come if people didn't smarten
up.
Forcing
people to stay inside was still an option, albeit a drastic one,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said.
"That's
the last thing someone wants to do, is the police marching around
telling people to stay in their homes," Ford said. "I
just don't believe in that. We're responsible. Do the right thing."
Quebec
Premier Francois Legault urged police to clamp down on those
flouting COVID-19 rules. He warned of fines of up to $6,000.
In
Toronto, Mayor John Tory was blunt as he announced a new bylaw
imposing a two-metre spacing rule for people in parks and squares
for next 30 days, with fines of up to $5,000. People from the same
household are exempt.
"Lives
are potentially at stake, and we will turn up the heat in the hopes
that the few who still don't get it, or pretend not to get it, will
get with the program," Tory said.
The
restrictions, which could last weeks or even months, have
taken a hideous toll on employment — more than one million
Canadians reported as having applied for jobless benefits. Liberal
government measures designed to help the unemployed weather the
crisis could cost more than $250 billion.
A survey
by Restaurants Canada, which speaks for the industry, indicated
800,000 jobs have been lost to the pandemic. Almost one in 10
restaurants have closed and nearly one in five expected to
close if conditions didn't improve soon, the survey suggested.
The billions
the government planned to inject into the economy to mitigate the
devastation was the subject of reports from Parliament's spending
watchdog Thursday. Just three federal measures — aimed at helping
low-income earners, families and seniors — will cost more than $8
billion, budget officer Yves Giroux said.
However,
an analysis from the left-leaning Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives estimated 862,000 unemployed workers —about
one-third of the total — aren't eligible for aid.
"We're
looking at ways to help everyone in Canada that needs it,"
Trudeau said. "We know there are many vulnerable people."
On
Monday, the Canada Revenue Agency will begin delivering the
federal aid, with as many as 300,000 Canadians expected to inquire
a day about the $2,000-a-month benefit. The agency usually has up
to 3,000 employees at call centres for tax season, but more
than 7,000 volunteered to help. A spokesman said the agency has
been able to pick and choose who's best to supplement its usual
call-centre team.
—With
files from Canadian Press reporters across the country.
This
report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2020.
Colin
Perkel, The Canadian Press
Note
to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said
1,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers had volunteered to answer
calls.
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