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Aug 26, 2020 5:38 PM -

Feds to give provinces $2B to bolster safe reopening of schools this fall

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to a question as he speaks with media following an announcement in Brockville, Ont., Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says children must be safe in their classrooms and parents shouldn't be losing sleep over it.

This morning he announced his government is providing up to two-billion-dollars in additional funding to help provinces and territories cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces must tell Ottawa how they spent the first half of the money by December if they want to get more.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was questioned about why Ottawa is stepping up with just days before many kids go back to class.

Trudeau responded that the money is meant to supplement the plans provinces have already made for a safe return to school.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the money should come with explicit plans to address school safety, including mandating smaller class sizes.

Critics say the money is too little and it's coming too close to the start of classes.

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