Trudeau once again assures the premiers and territorial leaders, Ottawa will provide them with assistance so they can act now to protect everyone

The Prime Minister's Office says Justin Trudeau didn't try to tell the premiers what to do or cast blame as he held his 21st call of the pandemic with leaders.

Later this morning at an Ottawa news conference, Trudeau is expected keep pushing the premiers to take tougher measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Aides say Trudeau once again assured the premiers and territorial leaders that Ottawa will provide them with assistance so they can act now to protect everyone as cases surge across the country.

Saskatchewan's Scott Moe says it was, ``extremely unhelpful'' for Trudeau to frame the issue as a ``false choice'' between protecting Canadians' health and protecting the economy.