In his daily address to the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed that the federal government will be providing $100 million towards helping vulnerable Canadians with their food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trudeau announced the funds would go to organizations like Food Banks Canada and the Salvation Army, as well as Indigenous communities who are in need.
“Like most organizations, food banks are facing new challenges because of this pandemic. With everyone staying home they have fewer volunteers and a difficult economic climate means they are receiving fewer donations than they normally would,” Trudeau said during his announcement this morning.
It was also announced on Friday that the government has signed an agreement with Amazon Canada to manage distribution of medical supplies to provinces and territories – including masks, face shields, gowns, ventilators, and test kits.
Trudeau also stated that Quebec is the first province to ask for the Canadian Armed Forces to be called in to help respond to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The province has asked specifically that the Canadian Armed Forces be deployed to northern Quebec, in an effort to help isolated communities combat local outbreaks.
This follows Trudeau previously saying that the Canadian military would be ready and willing to deploy once a request was made.
