Ottawa Observations: Friday, April 3, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Friday, April 3, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions




The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Trudeau warns US over restricting the trade of essential goods into Canada
Ontario could see up to 15,000 deaths from COVID-19, health officials warn
Scheer calls for increased parliamentary scrutiny of Trudeau and cabinet over COVID-19 response
Infected health-care workers the source of coronavirus outbreaks at four Ontario hospitals
Time to double down on public health measures to stop the spread of coronavirus
Italian doctor's fatalities reach tragic levels as they fight COVID-19 in overburdened hospitals
New York makes plea for help after reporting its deadliest day from the novel coronavirus
Ontario plans to shut down parts of construction industry amid COVID-19 crisis
Saskatchewan's Moe calls Trump ending export of N95 masks to Canada a 'betrayal'
Canada's handling of the pandemic so far is putting the US to shame
Warned of a pandemic, Canada's governments still seem to be playing catch-up
Ferrets, hamsters will soon reveal whether Canadian vaccine bid has a shot
Experts lend credence to concerns that China played down COVID-19 impacts
Fight over N95 masks shows Trump testing ethical, legal limits in COVID-19 crisis
Federal government urges med students, retirees to volunteer in the fight against COVID-19
Scheer says Conservatives won't shy away from criticizing government's COVID-19 response
COVID-19 could kill 3,000 to 15,000 people in Ontario, provincial modelling shows
Rangers dispatched to Nunavik to prevent COVID-19 spread, Trudeau says
Mounting evidence of COVID-19 'silent spreaders' contradicts government's earlier messages
Quebecers warming up to Trudeau's handling of COVID-19: polls
3M faces pressure from Trump order to stop exporting N95 masks to Canada
Missing home, with few places for rest, Canada's truckers embrace their 'essential' work amid the pandemic
'We've had to do the unthinkable': Doug Ford expands the list of non-essential workplaces in effort to curb COVID-19
Donald Trump is blocking exports of medical equipment. He's putting Canada's trust in the US to a potentially deadly test
COVID-19 will kill 1,600 in Ontario by month's end without more controls, modelling shows
'He's my therapist': How Chrystia Freeland and Doug Ford forged an unlikely friendship in the fight against COVID-19
Canada can't win the war against coronavirus until Ontario wins its uphill battle
Former Obama security adviser calls on Canada to show global COVID-19 leadership
COVID-19 data shows we can save thousands of lives. Now it's up to us
Should Canada give out 'immunity passports' for people who have beaten COVID-19
COVID-19 military deployment would be support, not suppression: Vance
Ontario tells a partial story with COVID-10 numbers
Toronto may endure 600 to 3,000 deaths before COVID-19 pandemic ends
Enforcement of physical distancing ramps up in Toronto
Frontline doctor pleads for surplus N95 masks to be donated
COVID-19 jail conditions lead to reduced sentence for dangerous driver
Ontario cuts essential workplaces list to limit COVID-19 spread
Bring in the Army? Canadian Armed Forces and the battle against COVID-19
No sugar coating it as Doug Ford delivers the grim COVID-19 news to Ontarions
Ontario's COVID-19 modelling has a best case scenario - but it requires 'enhanced' measures
3M says Trump officials have told it to stop sending face masks to Canada. Trudeau responds
Doug Ford's COVID-19 performance lays waste to the caricatures of his critics
What is the end game? Ontario's stark modelling forecast could help Canadians cope with COVID-19
In a pandemic, the philosophy of death is suddenly top of mind
Ford made right call to release COVID-19 projections. Much tougher decisions lie ahead
Viagra, thalidomide and poop: the dark horses in the race to treat COVID-19
In Doug Ford's Ontario, knowledge is sorrow
Inside the frantic, gruelling, all-hands-on-deck effort to bring Canadians home
Tech companies are proposing Canada use phone apps to track spread of coronavirus
Trudeau says coronavirus projections for Canada will be shared in 'coming days'
Quebec's coronavirus death toll rises to 61 as cases surpass 6,000
Trump asks medical supply firm 3M to stop selling N95 respirators to Canada
With travel at a standstill, hotel industry looks to assist hospitals, workers
China holds 3 minute reflection to honour virus victims
Proposed BC change could put foreign-trained doctors to work during coronavirus pandemic
East Coast's smaller size means less patients, but less staff too
Okanagan restaurants battered by COVID-19: 'These people are losing their livelihoods'
COVID-19 anxiety sparks friction between New Westminster testing clinic, landlords
Funeral homes brace for potential surge in COVID-19 cases
Some Canadians to pay additional pharmacy dispensing fees due to coronavirus restrictions
Recovered patients may still be infectious. And More info straight from Science journals
Has BC got it right on COVID-19 testing?
BC Health minister responds to Trump halting 3M's export of N95 masks to Canada
National treatment trial using blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to start in hospitals across country
Trudeau: US limiting respirator exports ' mistake


Globe and Mail

Government replaces senior leadership at Canada Infrastructure Bank; Sabia named new chair
Pandemic debt: Countries are spending trillions to save the economy from the coronavirus, Can the world afford it?
Three of Canada's biggest banks lower credit-card interest rates for some clients seeking relief
Giving credit where it is due for Canada's strong balance sheet
Business leaders urge Ottawa to ease conditions for 75 per cent wage subsidy
Federal government designs massive economic program on the fly, with details to come



CBC

The economy's on life support and Canadians need help now. What's the holdup?
Food security experts warn of supply shortages, higher prices due to global pandemic
Campaigning in time of crisis: Tory leadership candidates carry on
Canada notifies US and Mexico it has ratified revised NAFTA


Toronto Star

RBC, CIBC and National Bank agree to slash credit card interest rates for cash-strapped customers
Morneau  says oil, airlines, hospitality industry and retailers are 'on my radar' as Ottawa prepares next round of COVID-19 aid

Toronto Sun

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National Post

Canada borrowed itself into a tough spot, now it must borrow its way out of coronavirus
Canada must return to being a grown-up nation, now and post COVID-19
A COVID-19 wake-up call: Canada must stop this self-destruction



Maclean's

The coronavirus pandemic is the breakthrough Xi Jinping has been waiting for. And he's making his move




Global

First Nations may face governance gap if elections postponed
IMF says world recession will be 'way worse' than 2008 crisis


Miscellaneous

Oilsands workers deserve relief, not toil in Infectious sites

COVID-19 Update focuses on calls for airport enforcement, supply issues, along with latest case notes

There were a number of themes relayed through today's COVID-19 Provincial update from Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry; with Mr. Dix tackling topics related to travel into the province and some calls for BC to retaliate by stopping the transit of medical supplies produced in BC from transiting to the United States.

“Travellers, irrespective of where you are returning from, you must immediately self-isolate for 14 days from the moment you arrive at the airport or cross a land border – without question and without exception."

Mr. Dix also called on the Federal government to step up its presence and measures at airports, in order to ensure that they providing for as much protection for residents as possible.

Calling for a greater capacity to make use of the Quarantine Act and to follow up on cases of those who have returned to Canada and British Columbia.

"It seems to me that the work that everybody is doing in British Columbia, the sacrifice that every citizen is making in this province, the leadership of the health system, the leadership of Doctor Henry. 

Has to be supported by action, when people come from other countries to ensure that Quarantine orders, that self-isolation for fourteen days, which is a requirement of everyone, happens"

In another question from he media conference, the Health Minister dismissed a suggestion that medical gear being produced at a Nanaimo area pulp mill could somehow be held back for shipment to the US as a form of retaliation over American moves over 3M N95 masks.

"First of all, what we need to do, it seems to me. Is support the Prime Minister, to support our political leaders in seeing that actions that don't make sense for Americans and don't make sense for Canadians are not pursued. 

So I think we should make those efforts, rather than contributing and making the problem worse and going tit for tat we should work together for a result that will benefit all of us ... COVID-19 doesn't know borders, so we want our American friends to do well, we want their response to COVID 19 to be effective and it needs to be effective, it's important for us that it's effective.

I'm very proud of the workers at Harmac, of the work of health care workers in Canada and I'm also very proud and admiring of the work of the health care workers in the  United States, as depicted  on your network and on other networks everyday,  this is our fight together."

Mr. Dix also observed on how Canadian officials both Federal and provincial were working hard together to resolve the issues of supply and other concerns.

When it came to the relay of the daily overview of the current COVID situation, Dr. Henry delivered the presentation.

“We are announcing 53 new cases, for a total of 1,174 cases in British Columbia.

Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 

541 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 412 are in the Fraser Health region, 74 are in the Island Health region, 126 are in the Interior Health region and 21 are in the Northern Health region.

There have been 35 COVID-19 related deaths in British Columbia. In the last 24 hours, we are saddened to report a further four deaths in the Vancouver Coastal health region. Three of them related to a Seniors health care centre.

We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones."

On hospitalizations, Dr. Henry observed that the numbers went down slightly today, with 146 people are currently in hospital with 64 in critical care units. 

641 British Columbians have fully recovered from the disease.

As they have at each briefing through the recents weeks, both provincial officials urged British Columbians to commit to the program of self-isolation, physical distancing and other recently implement measures..

“Like Canada itself, each province and territory has had their own unique experience, with a different curve and a different response. But we have all been united in our focus. 

Here in British Columbia, people have gone to extraordinary efforts, making sacrifices to protect their families, our health-care workers and our communities. 

This is the moment that will make the difference. 

We must hold the line and be unwavering in our commitment to keep our firewall strong, to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve."

The Public Health Officer also addressed a number of questions related to compliance of the Public Health Orders and how the province is moving forward towards any need for enforcement of those Orders.

You can  review the latest notes from today's Briefing here.

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

More from  Northern Health can be reviewed here 

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, the string of statements that came quickly at the end of the week can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

Ottawa Observations

Victoria Viewpoints


Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

No service reductions yet for Prince Rupert - Haida Gwaii, Port Hardy BC Ferry service, as southern routes reduced by 50%

BC Ferry Service out of Fairview Bay in Prince Rupert
will continue on the winter schedule,  with no
reductions for the Northern Service announced as of yet

BC Ferries has announced some significant Service adjustments today as part of their ongoing response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In an information statement released this morning, BC Ferries announced the reduction by close to 50 percent for many of the major transits between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, the moves which will go into effect this Saturday will remain in place for at least the next sixty days.

“These changes are designed to ensure we have sufficient capacity to allow the flow of essential goods, services, supplies and workers to their destinations. We will continue to transport the goods communities rely on, and we will get people to where they need to go.” -- Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. 

The service reductions will not be implemented for those routes on the Northern Service, with the schedule of sailings from Prince Rupert to and from Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and Port Hardy to remain as it is for now, operating on the current off-peak, Winter schedule.

BC Ferries did advise however that the Summer Service between Bella Coola and Port Hardy will not be introduced at this time.

The BC Ferries President also paid tribute to the work of the Ferry service employees during this challenging period for BC Ferries and the province.

“Through this challenging time, our employees have demonstrated courage and determination to support coastal ferry service. Unfortunately, these service level reductions will result in temporary layoffs for hundreds of dedicated and loyal employees. Our goal is to keep the temporary layoffs to as short as possible. We need all these skilled people back as soon as possible to help restore ferry services when traffic returns.”

The reduced schedule will however make for a significant number of layoffs for those employees, with up to 1,400 plus set to be sidelined as a result.

You can review the full statement from Mr. Collins here.

The winter schedule for transit out of Prince Rupert can be viewed here.

For more notes on Marine Transportation on the North Coast see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Prince Rupert Port Authority outlines the critical role of local facilities, salutes those who work at them

The Prince Rupert Port Authtority has provided a salute to the men and women who work at Port and partner facilities along the Prince Rupert waterfront, using their Social Media portal on Facebook to highlight the important work bing done by Prince Rupert and area residents.

Making note of the range of material that comes through the Fairview Container Terminal every day, the Port highlights how many of those items are vital medical items destined for facilities across North America.

As an example, medical supplies moving through the Prince Rupert gateway are vital to support healthcare systems in both Canada and the United States. In the first three months of this year 1,035 containers with medical supplies moved through the Port of Prince Rupert via DP World's Fairview Terminal, bringing face masks, gloves, disinfectant, medical equipment and more to critical destinations across North America via Canadian National Railway Company's rail network.

Towards the work of the over 1500 workers in the Prince Rupert region the port offered up their thanks and  respect.

Thank you to all those working in the gateway industry- in the terminal and longshore workforce, as well as those working in rail, trucking, container handling, and marine operations who continue to work diligently to enable trade at the Port of Prince Rupert. The work you’re doing to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of essential supplies to the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 is very much appreciated and respected.

The Port also makes note of the importance to follow the orders and guidelines from British Columbia's Public Health Officer, Doctor Bonnie Henry.

To maintain the Port of Prince Rupert’s critical role in the continued global movement of goods and ongoing delivery of essential services while keeping our gateway workers and community healthy and safe, we all need to act now to go above and beyond in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. 

We recognize that these are uncertain times for all of us, with critical health outcomes in the balance, and a country that is counting on us to ensure that the safe and efficient movement of vital goods continues. 

As a port community, let’s continue to set the example of doing what it takes to win this battle.

The Port also notes how those ships and merchant sailors that transit to and from Prince Rupert are showing their support for the health providers on the North Coast.

You can explore more of the Port's themes during these times through their Facebook page here.

More items of note related to Port operations on the North Coast can be reviewed here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Municipal Government's across BC reviewing their budget making in response to COVID-19

Those ambitious presentations from Chief Financial Officers across British Columbia of February may soon need to get a second look; that as Municipal government comes to terms with a new reality in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis and the turmoil of the economic conditions of the last month.

With many industries and businesses now shut down due to the COVID-19 situation and many of their residents how self-isolating at home, many laid off from their jobs, a number of municipal governments have already started to take measures.

A number of which include wide scale layoffs of their own civic workforce and the need to now embark on a review of their financial picture for the days after the current health crisis has been addressed.

City of Kelowna preparing to slash 2020 budget amid coronavirus pandemic
Kelowna mayor outlines City's economic, public health response amid COVID-19
City of Kelowna cutting costs to reduce economic fallout
Thousands of city staff laid off in Vancouver, Surrey, Delta
Vancouver lays off 1,500 city workers
City of Vancouver temporarily lays off 1,500 workers due to COVID-19 crisis
BC city halls are shrining but some have bigger reserves to fall on

Even as close as Terrace, the review is on for their budget planning, with the Terrace City Council set to review their plans and to explore if there will be a need for change, with plans to address that issue in their upcoming council sessions.

So far, there has not been any word on how the City of Prince Rupert plans to address the changing dynamic of the economic picture for the province and local area.

The last notes on the municipal budget in Prince Rupert came at the March 23rd council session, where the City's Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben ran through her presentation,  a review which elicited no questions from the Mayor or Council at the time.

During the presentation Ms. Bomben did observe that:

"Currently we do not anticipate significant changes as a result of the pandemic however if there is anything that comes to light prior to seeking budget direction, we will make the changes and communicate them to council  -- Prince Rupert Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben

That may be a statement that resonates psychic, with the province having since announced a range of fiscal initiatives to help cushion the blows of the current twin troubles, what the landscape of British Columbias fiscal future may look like is to say uncertain at best.

As well, with many businesses and local industry now shuttered, they may soon be seeking some guidance towards the upcoming municipal tax call of July.

That date is a firm one owing to the Community Charter that municipalities operate under, so there's not much flexibility to bd found there.

Though Council could revise it's current approach to taxation as a way of relief.

As well, at the March presentation, City Hall offered a range of options for the public to consider.

"Staff would like to remind home and business owners that property taxes can be paid in advance on a monthly basis through a pre-authorized withdrawal program offered by the city.  Paying monthly can smooth out the financial impact of property taxes, as well those with mortgages can have their property tax payments combined through their lending  institution. Anyone interested in setting up a pre- authorized withdrawal program can contact City Hall"

There does not seem to be much urgency by City Council towards sharing any further thoughts with the public on the fate of the Budget, or other current issues for that matter in these changing times.

Last Friday, City Council announced that they would be cancelling this Monday's City Council session, citing "a lack of business" as their reason to not appear in a public session in some pretty fascinating period of time.

For a review of the Pre COVID-19 budget planning see our archive page here.

Further notes on City Council discussions for when they choose to hold public sessions see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Tourism Prince Rupert developing Recovery strategy for tourism sector in wake of COVID-19

In their latest update for stakeholders, Tourism Prince Rupert has relayed a few notes on their evolving plans towards how they will respond to the economic hit that the COVID-19 health crisis has brought to the vital tourism industry in the Northwest.

Working closely with their partners at Northern BC and Destination BC the local tourism group is working on a recovery strategy for the future.

One that will include a marketing campaign that will be ready to market Prince Rupert's tourism offerings to local residents and regional residents once the days and orders for social distancing are at an end.

For now however, Tourism BC, like their tourism partners across the region are discouraging all travel to the region through their social media channels, website and their email list.

As for the local industry, at the end of March, it was announced that the North Pacific Cannery will remain Closed for 2020, with the Port Edward Historical Society making the decision to keep the popular Historical site closed to the public until the 2021 summer season.

As well it was noted in the most recent update, that Tourism Prince Rupert has submitted a formal letter to the City of Prince Rupert's Mayor and Council asking for increased collaboration and consultation with Tourism Prince Rupert regarding advisories or closures in the tourism sector as a result of COVID-19.

That move seems to have followed a Social Media Post on Mayor Lee Brain's Facebook page, which made note of the Mayor's comments on the sport fishery, an area that is under the regulation of the Federal Department of Fisheries.

The Mayor's Social media messaging, once again delivered a number of comments from his followers that made for some alarming concepts for enforcement of an industry that the City has little authority over and which is an area of note which they can only offer suggestions towards.

Beyond that, the Mayor's topic appears to have incited some significant animosity towards anyone from outside of the Prince Rupert area.

That outburst is something that will require some extensive work towards rebuilding the tourism profile for Prince Rupert, for those days when travel is again something that is allowed again and welcomed by some ...

On the topic of Non-Essential Travel, which would include Sports Fishing and other such tourism ventures at this time; during yesterday's Daily Update from the Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry reinforced her stance on such activity.

"There are many of our smaller communities that are very concerned about people coming to vacation homes, fishing lodges etc., and I am asking people now to forego those types of travel. 

All Non-Essential travel, particularly to smaller communities, where we might not have the resources to support you should you become ill, or should there be transmission in those communities. 

And that's a really important thing that we need to do now, to protect those who are more vulnerable in those communities, particularly our Seniors and our Elders in our small and remote communities around the province"    -- British Columbia Public Health Officer, Doctor Bonnie Henry

Following her daily update, Skeena-Bulkley MP Taylor Bachrach and fellow NDP MP Gord Johns penned a letter that called for Sport Fishing licences to be restricted to only British Columbia residents at this time.

The letter from the two MP's can be reviewed here.

You can explore on advisories and updates from Tourism Prince Rupert through their archive page here.

For more on the Tourism industry in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Season Over for North Pacific Cannery Historical Site, as Port Edward Historical Society announces Closure for 2020

Closed for the Season. North Pacific Cannery Historical will not
open for business in 2020

As the COVID-19 health crisis continues to evolve across the nation, one of the most popular of tourism assets on the North Coast has reached a decision on the fate of their operations for 2020.

At the March 26th Board meeting for the Port Edward Historical Society, the Board announced that that it will not open the business operations for the North Pacific Cannery Historical site for 2020.

In their letter announcing the closure for the season ahead, the Society noted how it would be irresponsible to encourage visitation to the Port Edward and Prince Rupert area during the current COVID-19 Pandemic declaration.

The site will remain closed to not just out of town visitors, but to local residents as well, with the Society now looking towards focusing on facility improvements and to implement a much needed fundraising strategy towards moving forward with ongoing operations, maintenance and preservation of the 100 year plus site in Port Edward.

You can review the advisory below:

In previous years, the facility has attracted more than 10,000 visitors each year to the site, many from out of town, though North Pacific has also become a popular venue for many local residents to attend for tours or social functions.

Learn more about North Pacific from their Facebook Page and website.

For more notes related to the tourism sector on the North Coast see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.