Skip to Main content

25.33°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 21, 2020 5:44 PM -

Trudeau pledges help to increase COVID-19 testing in Ontario and Quebec

Share On

trudeau-pledges-help-to-increase-covid-19-testing-in-ontario-and-quebec

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference at Rideau Cottage amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Thursday, May 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will be speaking with the premiers today about how Ottawa can help provinces massively scale up their COVID-19 testing capacity to fend off a potential second wave of the novel coronavirus.

He says testing needs to increase immediately in Ontario and Quebec, where the economies are starting to reopen but the number of new COVID-19 cases remains high.

Trudeau first offered provinces a national framework on testing and contact tracing last week.

He says he's received positive responses from across Canada so far and is set to further discuss the offer during his weekly call with provincial and territorial premiers today.

Even in areas with a low number of new cases, Trudeau says governments need to be able to instantly increase their testing capacity to detect and control new flare-ups.

He says he doesn't want logistics or finances to get in the way of doing the testing or contact tracing needed to keep the pandemic under control.

Latest news

carney-criticizes-trumps-new-50-tariff-on-canadian-imports

CanadaJul 21, 2026

Carney criticizes Trump's new 50% tariff on Canadian imports

Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, calling it another example of the United States' unilateral trade policy. In a statement, Carney said the measure is a direct violation of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). According to the Prime Minister's statement, Canada has previously responded with proportionate countermeasures after the United States imposed what Ottawa described as unjustified tariffs on Canada's auto sector. Carney said Canada remains committed to protecting its wor

farmers-to-hold-delhi-mahapanchayat-over-proposed-india-u-s-trade-agreement

IndiaJul 20, 2026

Farmers to hold Delhi Mahapanchayat over proposed India–U.S. trade agreement

Farmers from different parts of the country are scheduled to gather at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi on Tuesday for a Mahapanchayat to protest the proposed India–U.S. trade agreement. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the gathering, being organised on the call of the Desh Bachao Morcha, will oppose the proposed deal, which he described as being against the interests of farmers. According to Pandher, the agreement could adversely affect the farming community, and protesters will urge the Centre not to implement it. Pandher said buses carrying farmers from Punjab are expected to leave for Delh

four-charged-after-alleged-retail-theft-at-markham-business-york-regional-police-say

Four charged after alleged retail theft at Markham business, York Regional Police say

Four men have been arrested following an alleged retail theft at a business in Markham, while police continue to search for a fifth suspect, according to York Regional Police. Police said officers responded at about 8 a.m. Tuesday to a business near Fairburn Drive and Highway 7 after receiving reports that several suspects had filled shopping carts with power tools and left the store without paying. Investigators allege the suspects were attempting to flee in a vehicle when officers arrived and, with assistance from store security staff, took four individuals into custody. York Regional Police

Woman seriously injured in stabbing at Campbell River parking lot, RCMP investigating

A 30-year-old woman was seriously injured in a stabbing early Sunday morning in Campbell River, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. in a parking area in the 1200-block of Cedar Street. Responding officers provided first aid before BC Emergency Health Services transported the woman to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. According to the Campbell River RCMP, the detachment's Major Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Services and general duty officers remained at the scene for several hours to collect evidence and interview witnesses. I

CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A

Related News

Carney criticizes Trump's new 50% tariff on Canadian imports

Carney criticizes Trump's new 50% tariff on Canadian imports

Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, calling it another example of the United States' unilateral trade policy. In a statement, Carney said the measure is a direct violation of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). According to the Prime Minister's statement, Canada has previously responded with proportionate countermeasures after the United States imposed what Ottawa described as unjustified tariffs on Canada's auto sector. Carney said Canada remains committed to protecting its wor

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital